USA > Iowa > Madison County > History of Madison County, Iowa, and its people, Volume I > Part 23
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"backbone" north of Middle River ; Benjamin Ludlow camp, southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 9, Lincoln Township, later owned by Margaret Moore.
Clanton Creek : Clanton bottoms have been noted for their heavy timber and there were many fine maple groves. Andrew Johns had a small camp south of the creek, on the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 11, South Township: James Martin had a fine grove a little farther cast on the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 11; George Smith had a grove in the bend east of the creek, on the southeast quarter of section 10; W. . \. Carter, west of the creek, on the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 15, and on the east side; J. G. Carter, the northeast quarter of section 15: Abraham Black west of the present site of Hanley and east of the creek. the north half of the northwest quarter of section 22, and farther south where P. A. Carter now lives, on the southeast quarter of section 22, South Township: Perry Cummings. or later, the Guernsey camp, was a fine grove on the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 27, South Township ; James .\. Rhyno had an excel- lent grove west of Clanton, the south half of the southeast quarter of section 29. which has been operated until late years; Pleasant Rollings camp was a little farther north on the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 29; H. A. Mclaughlin also had a fine camp on the north half of the southwest quarter of section 28. From Rhyno's camp to the present site of East Peru there were no groves of any size. Jacob Brown had one south of East Peru, east of the road leading south of town, on the south half of the northeast quarter of section 11. Walnut Township; John Brown, west of the road on both sides of Clanton, now owned by J. R. McKee and S. B. Winchester, the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter and the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 11 ; Aaron Hiatt, a grove west of East Peru, north of the railroad on both sides of the creek south of Austin Reed,-the northeast quarter of section 10, Walnut Township; Ben Brown, south of the mouth of Rattle Snake Creek, the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 10. These groves about Peru were nearly continuous. Then there were no more until near John lindman's, on the northwest quarter of section 15. Walnut Township, also the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 15, now owned by W. T. Jesse. and the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 15. now owned by James Harwood.
Jones Creek: Lathrum grove is still standing, on the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter, and the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 21, South Township; N. P. Pomeroy, the southeast quarter of the north- west quarter of section 20, is also standing ; and Joel Graves grove in section 23. Scott Township.
CHAPTER XXI THE "UNDERGROUND RAILROAD" By .A. J. Hoisington
Beginning about the year 1850 and continuing until about 1862, numerous runaway negro slaves from Missouri passed through this county on their way northeast to Canada, or to some northern portion of the United States, where aboli- tion sentiment was strong enough for them to feel safe from pursuit and capture. Until 1855-6 the political sentiment of this county was largely opposed to aboli- tionism.
About 1850 there were very few persons in the county, with anti-slavery sentiments, to actively aid slaves in making their escape from their masters. By 1856 the number had greatly increased and by 1860 they were so numerous as to make no secret of their work in aiding the negro to freedom. Those who har- bored and actively helped slaves to escape were commonly called "agents of the underground railroad" and, extending across the country from south to north and some miles apart, were "stations," which were the homes of the more coura- geous and radical abolitionists. These stations were made known and gave shelter to runaway slaves, who traveled by night and were secreted in them in the daytime. In many cases the "agents" would haul the runaways by team from one "station" to another in the night time, or on horseback. During the later '50s and early '60s they were frequently taken in the daytime along circuitous routes, concealed in wagons.
James Farris, who settled in Union Township in 1851, was one of the boldest and most active of these "underground station agents" from the very first. He was far past middle age but of strong physique, a noted deer hunter and trapper and feared nothing. He used to brag about his work in this line and even publicly defied searching parties. One early morning during the later '50s a runaway negro man approached him, from the timber close by his house, much fearing to do so and yet desperate because of hunger and fatigue, with his overnight travel. The black man had been directed to Farris' place but not further, and didn't know where to go next. Farris thought he had seen the negro before and finally the poor fellow admitted he belonged to a son-in-law of Farris', who lived in Missouri and whom Farris occasionally visited. Farris at once put his visitor at ease and told him he would be taken care of and shielded from his enemies ; that he would be taken on to the next station over on Coon River. The slave was then hidden in the loft of one of the double log houses in which Farris lived, but early that evening, who should arrive at the house but the son-in-law and his party, to stay all night, never suspecting that his father-in-law was at that moment giving refuge and asylum to his human chattel. It would not do to send the runaway ahead, so slave and master slept in the same house that night, the
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former overhead and the latter below. The slave was very quiet that night, as might well be supposed. Next morning the master and party were directed by Farris where probably it was wise to look for the slave. He told them to hunt as far as to the North River, but that it was useless to cross the divide over to the Coon, for the reason that, if the runaway had reached that far he was perfectly safe, since there were so many bitter and tough abolitionists in that vicinity. The slave hunters consumed all the day in searching along North River without suc- cess, as a matter of course, and returned to the Farris house to stay all night, the son-in-law saying he would give up the chase and go home next morning. That night, David W. Gilliland and another man took the darky on his way, and the disconsolate master returned to Missouri, short a $1,000 slave through the radical abolitionism of his father-in-law.
William McDonald, who lived in Southwest Jefferson Township, was another "station agent." Among other chattels he brought with him from Ohio a fine fam- ily carriage, and it was said that the vehicle did much and valiant duty as a passenger coach on the "underground railroad" tracks.
John Early, of Jackson Township, was in charge of a very busy "underground station," and. it is said, had as many as five runaway slaves on his place at one time. Advocates of the "peculiar institution" of the South were becoming exas- perated at the repeated loss of their human chattels, through connivance of abolitionists in the North, and placed warrants in the hands of deputy United States marshals for the recovery of their property. Early soon received a "tele- gram," presumably from "underground wires," that a United States officer was in his neighborhood, hunting slaves out of bounds, which led him to clean up an antiquated pistol and announce himself as being ready for all comers.
On another occasion Early became the host of Sheriff Sam Hamilton, a pro- slavery man, and another democrat, whose name has gotten away. The men were billed to speak on the political situation, at the Early schoolhouse, and were at the home of the slaves' friend by his invitation. When supper was about to be announced, three chairs were placed at one side the table and the democratic guests were so placed in them that the middle seat was left vacant. Then Early told his wife to bring in her other visitor, and upon compliance with his request. a ponderous black "nigger mammy" was escorted to the dining-room and placed between the sheriff and his democratic friend. The trio made a remarkable setting to the scene and the present day reader can hardly realize the ludicrousness of the situation. But Hamilton and his companion were equal to the occasion and joined heartily with Early in his manifest and successful effort to please all. After the intentionally prolonged meal was finished, without any demonstrations of chagrin or hostility, the two pro-slavery politicians thanked their host for his hospitality and took their departure for the democratic meeting waiting for them at the schoolhouse.
CHAPTER XXV
MADISON COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR
On the 16th of April, 1861, four days following the assault on Fort Sumter, Gov. Samuel J. Kirkwood, of Iowa, received the following telegram from Simon Cameron, secretary of war :
"Call made on you by tonight's mail for one regiment of militia for immediate service."
That very day the governor proclaimed to the people of Iowa that the nation was imperilled and invoked the aid of every loyal citizen in the state. The tele- gram above alluded to was received at Davenport. The governor was then resid- ing at Iowa City but there was no telegraphic communication in those days between the two cities.
It was important that the dispatch should reach the eyes of the governor at once, and General Vandever, then a civilian, volunteered to take the message to Iowa City. The governor was found on his farm outside the city by tlie self- appointed messenger, dressed in homespun and working in the field. Reading the dispatch, Governor Kirkwood expressed extreme surprise and exclaimed : "Why, the President wants a whole regiment of men! Do you suppose I can raise so many as that, Mr. Vandever?" When ten Iowa regiments were offered a few days later the question was answered.
IOWA RALLIES TO THE COLORS
"Whether in the promptitude of her responses to the calls made on her by the general government, in the courage and constancy of her soldiery in the field," said Col. A. P. Wood, of Dubuque, upon one occasion, "or in the wisdom and effi- ciency with which her civil adminstration was conducted during the trying period covered by the War of the Rebellion, Iowa proved herself the peer of any loyal state. The proclamation of hier governor, Samuel J. Kirkwood, responsive to that of the President calling for volunteers to compose her first regiment, was issued on the fourth day after the fall of Sumter. At the end of only a single week men enough were reported to be in quarters (mostly in the vicinity of their own homes) to fill the regiment. These, however, were hardly more than a tithe of the number who had been offered by company commanders for acceptance under the President's call. So urgent were these offers that the governor requested on the 24th of April permission to organize an additional regiment. While awaiting the answer to this request he conditionally accepted a sufficient number of com- panies to compose two additional regiments. In a short time he was notified that both of these would be accepted. Soon after the completion of the second and third regiments, which was near the close of May, the adjutant general of the
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state reported that upward of one hundred and seventy companies had been ten- dered to the governor to serve against the enemies of the Union.
"Much difficulty and considerable delay occurred in fitting these regiments for the fieldl. For the First Infantry a complete outfit-not uniform-of clothing was extemporized, principally by the volunteered labor of loyal women in the different towns, from material of various colors and qualities obtained within the limits of the state. The same was done in part for the Second Infantry. Mean- time, an extra session of the General Assembly had been called by the governor to convene on May 15th. With but little delay that body authorized a loan of $800,000 to meet the extraordinary expenses incurred and to be incurred by the executive department in consequence of the new emergency. A wealthy merchant of the state, ex-Governor Merrill, then a resident of MeGregor-immediately took from the governor a contract to supply a complete outfit of clothing for the three regiments organized, agreeing to receive, should the governor so elect, his pay therefor in state bonds at par. This contract he executed to the letter, and a portion of the clothing which was manufactured in Boston to his order, was de- livered at Keokuk, the place at which the troops had rendezvoused, in exactly one month from the day on which the contract had been entered into. The remainder arrived only a few days later. This clothing was delivered to the regiments but was subsequently condemned by the Government for the reason that its color was gray, and blue had been adopted as the color to be worn by national troops."
MADISON COUNTY ALIVE TO THE SITUATION
The news soon reached Winterset that the Southern states were in rebellion and that the flag had been insulted at Charleston, South Carolina. Although fully advised of the spirit manifested by Southern leaders the people were not prepared to realize the danger menacing free institutions of the Republic and were as- tounded and horrified when the real situation arose and confronted them. But almost every man and woman in Madison County loved and revered the Union and rallied at the first call, to express their sentiments. Mass meetings from this on were the order of the day and night, and but little time was lost before action was taken. At one of these meetings, held on April 24, 1861, at the Christian Church, in Winterset, a large assemblage of people met in the house of worship and was presided over by Dr. D. B. Allen : John J. Davies acted as secretary. The object of the meeting was to discuss the ominous situation of the country and to ascertain how many persons in the county were willing to join a military com- pany, or companies, for home protection, and a committee of ten was appointed for the purpose of securing the names of those desiring to become members of the pro- posed companies. That committee was composed of the following named per- sons: 1 .. D. Karns, 1 .. N. Clark, William 1 .. Leonard, A. Hood, N. Garretson. II. C. Carter, Frederick Mott, William Shannon, J. W. Holbrook and C. Gaskill.
It was the sense of the meeting that both the cavalry and infantry company should be organized, and that as their formation would be for home protection the citizens should furnish the enlisted men with arms. Thereupon, the Madison County Rangers, a cavalry company, was organized and the patriotic citizens sign- ing their names that evening to the rolls of the cavalry company were: J. 1. Denman, J. M. Lambert, E. W. Evans, D. D. Davisson, C. A. Gaskill, 11. C.
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Carter, G. M. Rutledge, H. M. Porter, B. M. Bixby, William Reynolds, Samuel Conigan, Butler Bird, W. C. Newlon.
An infantry company was also formed and assumed the name of the Winter- set Guards. Its muster roll showed the following names: O. C. Ayres, S. G. Beckwith, D. W. Burnett, G. W. Betts, J. W. Craven, F. M. Cassidy, H. C. Farns- worth, M. Foster, B. C. Howell, N. A. Harlan, W. M. Jenkins, J. W. Kirk, B. F. Murray, J. P. Noel, A. Nosler, F. M. Pickerell, W. R. Shriver, John Stiffler, James Stafford, S. B. Williams, C. C. Ward. Cal Trion, C. Tibbles, William H. Goodwin, J. M. Andrews, D. D. Bennett, Thomas Bardrick, F. I. Cash, L. N. Clark, H. J. B. Cummings. T. W. Fouch, J. D. Ilolbrook, W. l'. Hastings, J. M. Holaday, L. D. Karns, J. R. Lambert, H. Marlow, John Nichol, Eli Odell, Lee Pitzer, T. M. Stiffler, G. W. Stiffler, E. T. Warner, J. H. Williams, J. D. Williams, M. R. Tidrick, D. W. Thompson.
The "Rangers" met on the evening of the 26th and selected these officers : Captain D. D. Davisson ; first lieutenant, G. M. Rutledge; second lieutenant, Butler Bird; third lieutenant, B. F. Bixby ; orderly sergeant, H. C. Carter. The men joining the "Rangers" were required to furnish themselves with a horse and saddle "and such arms as each might obtain." And the object of the organization, by the records, was to "defend the citizens and property of Madison County when the contingency might require it." This was the first military company organized in Madison County.
Other warlike movements on the part of the citizens took place, one closely upon the other, and a few of them will be related in order to show the spirit and feelings of the people at that time of national travail. On April 27, 1861, S. G. Beckwith and Jesse R. Lambert announced the receipt of their commissions from the adjutant general of the state, to organize a company of volunteers "in this senatorial district." At the close of this announcement the newly made officials sent out this appeal. "Let not the young men of our district be slow in responding to the call of their country in a time of danger." To encourage others it was reported that S. G. Beckwith. Jesse R. Lambert, Butler Bird, William L. Leonard, James MeCleary, William C. Newlon and B. F. Murray had already volunteered.
On April 27, 1861, the following call was issued: "The people of Madison County, in favor of sustaining the Government in its endeavors to maintain and preserve the Union in its present crisis, are requested to meet at Winterset on Saturday, May 4, 1861, at 1 P. M., for the purpose of giving expression to their views as American citizens. Signed, Albert West, M. L. McPherson, M. Glaze- brook, L. S. Garrett, A. Hood, Cal Ballard, C. D. Bevington, John Leonard, H. J. B. Cummings, Samuel Hamilton, L. Mayo, J. J. Davies, W. L. Hart, D. D. Davis- son, N. Garretson, I. L. Tidrick, John McLeod, William Compton, J. W. Moody, J. A. Pitzer, D. B. Allen, W. L. Leonard, L. M. Tidrick, J. F. Brock.
At St. Charles, May 1. 1861, a large and enthusiastic war meeting was held ; a Union pole was raised and a beautiful large flag, made and presented by the ladies of that neighborhood, was run up to the breeze. The occasion was enlivened by music from the Indianola Brass Band and Union speeches were made by Dr. William L. Leonard, of Winterset, and Lewis Todhunter, of Indianola. "Ringing patriotic resolutions were adopted."
Great excitement prevailed throughout the county and war with the South was the exclusive subject of general conversation. Those opposed to the prosecu-
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tion of the war kept their views to themselves, while in public places, for the dan- ger of violence was imminent.
On May 1. 1861, Eller A. Bradfield, of the Winterset Christian Church, de- livered an ultra patriotic sermon in favor of the war for the Union. Other local ministers were equally patriotic in the pulpit.
The following extracts from the Madisonian are matters of local history and should be of more than ordinary interest to the present and future generations, if not of the past : \ detachment of regular soldiers from Fort Randall, Dakota Territory, on their way to the seat of war passed through Winterset May 4th. They were entertained by the citizens and given a hearty reception. May 18th, the Clinton Guards of this county met for organization and elected the following officers: Captain, R. A. Stitt ; first lieutenant, E. 11. Venard ; second lieutenant, W. T. Shelburn ; ensign. James Brinson ; first sergeant, Jacob Hlyskill. The com- pany numbered forty-four men. They proposed to uniform themselves forthwith and report to the Government.
About May 20th sixty stands of arms passed through Winterset for Page County, which was threatened with attack by rebels from Gentry County, Mis- souri.
Before May 25th "Madison County Guards," of Winterset, had disbanded, by reason of internal disagreement, and another organization was perfected which took the name of the "Union Zouaves." This organization was officered by HI. J. B. Cummings, captain ; John R. Nichol, first lieutenant : J. R. Lambert, second lieu- tenant ; J. M. Andrews, third lieutenant ; L. N. Clark, first sergeant ; J. S. Goshorn, second sergeant ; W. P. Hastings, third sergeant ; S. Pitzer, fourth sergeant ; John Stiffler, fifth sergeant ; J. W. Burnett. E. A. Huber, J. M. Holaday. E. C. Ward, corporals. The privates were Frederick Mott, J. J. Davies, C. P. Lee, R. Bain, C. Danforth, J. D. Williams, C. Armbreast. A. Nosler. B. F. Murray, John Hinkle, E. W. Reynolds, T. M. Stiffler, G. S. Stiffler, Marion Cassiday, J. P. Wallace, and J. S. White.
May 25th, another company was due to be organized, which styled itself "The Silver Greys," and was composed of men over thirty years of age.
June 27th Capt. P. Gad Bryan, of Indianola, made a stirring speech at the Christian Church, in the effort to secure recruits, for his cavalry company. He made an impressive address which was followed by M. L. McPherson, of Winter- set. At the conclusion, the following Madison County men were enlisted: J. R. Lambert, W. R. Shriver. C. Tibbles, D. W. Burnett. T. M. Stiffler, John Faurote, J. D. Jenks. E. S. Ewing, Milton Carter, J. H. Bird, D. D. Burnett, G. Tibbles, John HI. Williams, and Butler Bird.
During the latter part of April a company had been organized in Madison Township, of which William F. Clampitt. a Mexican war veteran, was captain. This military organization was the subject of much reckless talk for some time, as the loyalty of certain of its members was much questioned, and as strongly de- fended by Captain Clampitt.
June 29th E. S. Ewing, of Winterset, advertised for cavalry horses. The owners were asked to give a credit of six months to volunteers with approved se- curity. He didn't secure many.
July 13th Capt. H. J. B. Cummings' Company G, Fourth Jowa Regiment, started for its rendezvous at Council Bluffs. Their departure was one of the
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saddest affairs that ever occurred in the County. Probably every eye that witnessed the scene was blinded by tears. Not even the most indifferent or hardened per- son withheld his emotions. It was never forgotten by any one present.
Previous to the departure of Company G, on July 12th, the ladies in and near Winterset gave a festival supper to the company. It was one worthy of the ladies and the occasion. After the soldiers had eaten their fill there was an abundance for the citizens present. At this festival the ladies presented the company with a beautiful flag. Miss Geraldine Squire made the presentation ad- dress and the response was by the captain, H. J. B. Cummings.
August 31, Lieut. J. D. Jenks, and Serg. Jesse R. Lambert, of Bryan's Cavalry, were home on a few days leave of absence. On their return the following re- cruits went with them: William O. Ludlow, Joseph Reynolds, Edward Marlow, Matthew Wilkins, Mr. McCandless and "Curly Joe."
September Ist, the board of supervisors appropriated $150 out of the county funds, for the benefit of the families of volunteers of Madison County, who were left in destitute circumstances by reason of such enlistments, if there should be any.
The above excerpts, which were scattered hither and yon, throughout the various issues of the Madisonian during the stirring year of 1861, give a good por- trayal of the things that most interested the people in Madison County at that time. Many such events occurred before the close of hostilities between the North and the South. It certainly would be interesting reading, to many, to give a full relation of the local war time incidents, but space will not permit. However, Madison County did her part, faithfully and well, in putting down rebellion and upholding the glory and integrity of republican institutions. The county was rep- resented in a number of different regimental organizations and furnished 710 inen to the ranks of the Union army, which was in excess of her quota. The com- inissioned officers from Madison County in that great conflict were as follows :
H. J. B. Cummings, colonel, Thirty-ninth lowa Infantry ; George N. Elliott, lieutenant colonel, Thirty-ninth lowa Infantry ; Dr. William L. Leonard, surgeon, Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry ; Frederick Mott, quartermaster, Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry ; S. G. Guiberson, captain, Company A, Thirty-ninth Infantry ; Oliver C. Ayers, first lieutenant, Company A. Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry ; Charles S. Arm- strong, first lieutenant, Company A, Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry; J. B. Rawls, second lieutenant, Company A, Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry; John P. Jones, second lieutenant Company A, Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry ; J. M. Browne, captain Company F. Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry ; Thomas W. Stiles, captain, Company F. Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry ; Adolphus Bradfield, captain, Company F, Thirty- ninth Iowa Infantry; William Anderson, first lieutenant, Company F. Thirty- ninth Iowa Infantry; Dr. S. B. Cherry, surgeon, Forty-seventh Iowa Infantry ; J. S. Goshorn, captain, Company E. Forty-seventh Iowa Infantry ; J. D. Jenks, brevet lieutenant colonel, First Iowa Cavalry ; William R. Shriver, first lieutenant, First Iowa Cavalry ; William Pursell, captain, Company I. Fourth Iowa Cavalry ; J. R. Lambert, first lieutenant. Company I, Fourth Iowa Cavalry ; William Hast- ings, first lientenant Company 1, Fourth Cavalry ; William Early, first lieutenant Company I, Fourth Iowa Cavalry ; E. W. Raymond, quartermaster sergeant, Com- pany I, Fourth lowa Cavalry ; William W. Buchanan, second lieutenant, Company E, Fifth Iowa Cavalry ; M. R. Tidrick, first lieutenant Company G, Third Iowa
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