USA > Iowa > Johnson County > Leading Events in Johnson County, Iowa, History > Part 27
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"We are now at the mercy of our friends and neighbors, for a place to worship, and so long as we remain in this condition, we feel that our branch of the church, and the great cause of the Redeemer must suffer. Under these circumstances we have thought that our brethren in other places (less afflicted) might feel it a pleasure, and Christian duty to lend a helping hand.
"Any sympathy manifested in a substantial way, will be duly appreciated and long remembered; and any gift made to either of the following named persons will be applied as di- rected.
"In Christian fellowship,
"Yours truly,
"F. A. SHEARER, Pastor, J. P. WOOD,
"M. B. COCHRAN, President, THOS. LINDLEY,
"HENRY MURRAY, Treasurer, THEO. SANXAY,
"GEO. W. CLARK, Secretary, H. D. DOWNEY,
"Trustees First Presbyterian Church, Iowa City, Iowa."
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The dedication of the church when again completed is only an incident in the minutes for the session held on April 23, 1866. It is there stated in a parenthetical way that "the church was dedicated on the 13th of August, 1865." 298
An eye witness telling of the misfortune that befell the Presbyterian church after its many troubles and trials had been overcome, says: "For three days the barometer had been traveling downward towards the storm line, predicting more than ordinary gale. At six o'clock yesterday evening [June 20, 1877] a little bank of blue cloud lay upon the horizon ; rain and storm had been so frequent of late that no attention was paid to this, except to surmise whether or not it would interfere with the University exercises. At seven o'clock there were indications of trouble. The line of cloud closed over the western horizon, and rolled up a foaming crest of white fleece, prognosticating a heavy wind. In fifteen minutes more the air trembled, although there was no breeze, the trees moaned softly, and a deep sough rose from the west, like the muffled roar of a distant waterfall or the tread of an approaching army. Louder and deeper it grew until suddenly the air grew thick with dust, leaves, and debris. It may be worth remember- ing that the rate of the wind was a little more than a mile a min- ute, and at this moment the streets were filled with people hastening to the chapel. They were driven into stores, unable to face the storm. At twenty-five minutes past seven, when the storm was at its height, a dull heavy roar and a trembling of the ground was heard, telling of a great shock, and on Clinton street the cry went up that the spire of the Presbyterian church had fallen. Great damage was done, but this was the most serious, being the destruction of the spire and a portion of the front of the building. The spire was carried away completely so far as the wood work was concerned, and part of the tower walls were thrown down, pouring the bricks into the gallery and auditorium, and destroying a part of the gallery, while the falling debris destroyed the east floor of the lower hall. The spire fell almost directly east across Clinton street, the finial breaking down a panel in the fence of Mr. T. J. Cox. The spire was so demolished that had it not been for a few sections of the roof it could not have been identified.
"With the spire came the great bell, weighing more than twenty-eight hundred pounds. It struck on its side and re-
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ceived no damage beyond the breaking of the iron yoke to which it was suspended. The spire fell entire, and did not break until it reached the ground. One of the great timbers drawing back thrust a hole through the east wall of the tower. The damage was not far short of six thousand dollars. The spire was built in 1869 and the bell put in place the same year. The extreme height of the spire was 153 feet from the ground. One hundred feet fell."
Sympathy for the congregation was expressed in reviewing their misfortunes, for "they seemed destined to meet the frowns of fate." Once their church was burned; at another time the bell was stolen; there had been three bells since then; and now "this last and severe blow." But at seven o'clock the next morning workmen were clearing away the debris, and the members were consulting as to what should be done.209
The following Sunday the pastor faced his congregation in the demoralized building, and preached from the text, "The Lord hath His way in the whirlwind and in the storm." 300 He said in the beginning: "Most unexpectedly have I been called to a different subject from that I had planned for this day. Without words of mine, these saddening marks of the tem- pest's ravages would explain the change." The pastor, Rev. Dr. Osmond, reviewed the events and drew lessons from each, while the sun shone through the chasms in the broken walls and "added to the solemnity of the occasion." At the close of the service L. H. Jackson, one of the trustees, came forward, and said it was the intention to rebuild just as an individual would if his house were destroyed. They would replace the bell, now almost as famous as Hummer's bell, and it had be- come the more precious because of the trials through which it had passed.
In connection with the church history of this congregation a tribute is paid to one of its faithful members that is now typical of the early days, and it is fitting that it should be in- serted here: "John Shoup was born in Basle, Switzerland, and under the discouragements of poverty, emigrated to Amer- ica when quite young. While serving as a 'bound boy' near Steubenville, Ohio, he became a member of the Presbyterian church. In 1839 he journeyed on foot to Iowa City, then in its earliest settlement, and in 1840 he was one of the foremost in
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the establishment of the church, as it was planned on the 12th day of September of that year. Afterwards during all its dis- couragements he faithfully performed his part in sustaining and fostering it, accomplishing much more by his untiring de- votion than many others possessing greater advantage in edu- cation and wealth." Mr. Shoup left the city with this warm commendation on the record.
In 1890 the church celebrated its fiftieth anniversary during the pastorate of Dr. E. N. Barrett. Many of the former pas- tors, as aged men, returned to honor the occasion, among them Rev John Crozier, whose parents were among the first settlers of the "North Bend" country. Dr. Barrett in his introduc- tion called him "St. John, the apostle of this church and a crusader." It appears that this man when a boy in North Bend, had helped to quarry the stone for the Old Capitol build- ing and at the home of his father the pioneer ministers, Revs. Stocker, Cole, and Bell, had often been entertained. Michael Hummer had preached in their cabin home, sometimes walking the nine miles and crossing the river at Eagan's ford in a ca- noe rowed by Rev. Crozier.
Dr. F. A. Shearer, then living at Colfax, was present at the anniversary. He was pastor when the house was burned, and long after. He could with difficulty speak of the former trials "with composure." Rev. Osmond, who made a careful summary of the church history in 1876, and was pastor for so many years, was present on this occasion, coming from Elkton, Maryland. Rev. Geo. P. Folsom, of Carroll, Iowa, who filled this pulpit from 1880 to 1885, congratulated the church on its prosperity after so many trials in its early history.
In a paper, read by Mrs. W. P. Coast, on "Woman's Work in the Church," she stated that the church was founded fifty years before by "thirteen women and one man." When the church was built it had a "pitch and gravel roof, and the pitch for its manufacture was heated on the kitchen stove of a good sister near the building. Money and supplies to help on the pastor's salary were expected from the organizations of the women. In 1874 the first foreign missionary society was or- ganized by Mrs. George Thatcher, and a short time after the home society was founded by Miss Lou Hughes."
H. W. Lathrop, who has done so much for local history, was
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among the speakers, and in reference to Mr. Shoup, whose name has been mentioned, he said: "Deacon John Shoup was this church's hardest worker. We had no furnaces, no coal stoves, and our wood came in sled lengths at 'six bits' a load; he not only gave and hauled the wood, but frequently cut it and made the fires. He was a hauler of merchandise between Muscatine and Iowa City, and was not a rich man."
The principal address of this anniversary occasion was given by the pastor of the church, Dr. E. N. Barrett, in which he reviewed the history already related, from the years be- fore, and added what was of most importance in the events of later years. At the annual meeting in 1890 a committee was appointed, consisting of Messrs. Coast, Shepard, Macbride, Bradway, and Chatham, to secure a desirable location for a parsonage, and to make the financial arrangements necessary in addition to the generous legacy of Mr. Dana Stone, and the amount realized from the sale of the old New School church given by the synod for this purpose.
After twelve years of efficient service, one is startled by coming suddenly upon this line in the church record: "Our pastor, Rev. E. N. Barrett, D. D., died this morning at 10:30," [May 8, 1901]. He had occupied his pulpit for the last time on Sunday morning, January 13, and at its close announced that there would be no evening service, since he felt unable to speak. On the next day he was seriously ill, and from that time until his death his friends were unable to see him or hear his voice.
The present pastor, Rev. D. W. Wylie, D. D., was called to the church in January, 1902, following the death of Dr. Barrett.
Beginning with Rev. Michael Hummer, who was the first regular minister, the following are the men who have served the church :
Rev. Michael Hummer, pastor from 1841 to 1848 (died 1879).
Rev. Silas Hazard, pastor from 1848 to 1852 (died 1853).
Rev. John Crozier, pastor from 1853-4 (died 1891).
Rev. F. A. Shearer, pastor from 1854 to 1858 (died 1905).
Rev. O. O. McClain, pastor from 1859 to 1861 (died 1900).
Rev. Samuel Osmond, pastor from 1862 to 1879 (died 1907).
Rev. Wm. R. Henderson, pastor from 1879 to 1880.
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Rev. George P. Folsom, pastor from 1880 to 1887 (died 1904).
Rev. E. N. Barrett, pastor from 1888 to 1901 (died 1901).
Rev. D. W. Wylie, pastor from 1902 -.
The story of "Hummer's Bell" has often been referred to in connection with church history and while only an event in the life of a community, it has some phases that are suggestive of the trials of frontier life, and the method of securing posses- sion was so peculiar as to be very much out of the ordinary. That such a circumstance should, at this date, cause comment, and induce efforts for the restoration of the property is at least enough reason for an extended account of the story. It has been mentioned that Mr. Hummer had been given security on the church property for a certain indebtedness, and in order to indicate the certainty of the security it may be permitted to show the authority :
"This indenture, made this first day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-eight, be- tween Theodore Sanxy, Samuel H. McCrory, John Shoup, and James W. Margrave, Trustees of the first Presbyterian Church of Iowa City, in the county of Johnson, and State of Iowa, of the one part and Michael Hummer of the County and State aforesaid of the other part:
"Witnesseth : Whereas the said Theodore Sanxy, S. H. Mc- Crory, John Shoup, and James Margrave, as trustees of the first Presbyterian church, as aforesaid, are indebted to the said Michael Hummer, in the sum of six hundred and fifty-eight dollars and twenty-two cents and have executed a note for the payment of the same (bearing even date herewith) payable eighteen months after date, with six per cent interest, until paid. And the said Trustees, being desirous of securing the payment of the same at the time aforesaid, therefore this in- denture,
"Witnesseth, that the said trustees as well for the consid- eration of securing the payment of the said note at the time it becomes due, as the sum of one dollar to them in hand paid by the said Michael Hummer before the sealing and delivery there- of, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have granted, bargained, sold, transferred and conveyed and by these pres- ents do grant, bargain, transfer and convey unto the said
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Michael Hummer, his heirs and assigns, a certain tract or par- cel of Land lying and being in the county of Johnson aforesaid, to wit, Lot numbered Eight, in Block numbered Eighty-six in Iowa City, as known and designated on the original plat and plan of said town, being the same upon which the first Presby- terian church of the said city have erected their church edi- fice.
The usual conditions of a mortgage follow the transfer as described, and the instrument was signed by the persons named in the mortgage on behalf of the church, sealed and delivered in the presence of John Margrave. It was acknowledged be- fore J. Crummy as justice of the peace, and Stephen B. Gard- ner, clerk of the district court certified to his official author- ity.301
"On a certain day of the year of 1848, the peaceful citizens of Iowa City were thrown into a state of excitement by the report being spread that Michael Hummer, accompanied by his pliant tool, Dr. Margrave, had arrived in the city with means of trans- portation, intending to take the bell from the Presbyterian church, and convey it to Keokuk, there to be placed in a new temple which Hummer had erected and dedicated to the service of some deity of his own. These two worthies procured ropes and blocks and proceeded to the church, and ascending to the belfry by the aid of a long ladder, they proceeded to unhang the bell and lower it to the ground. It so happened that while Margrave went to the stable for the horses and wagon, Hum- mer ascended into the belfry for the purpose of getting down the tackle, but by this time a number of citizens had gathered at the church and seemed bent upon interrupting the plans of the former minister. They first removed the ladder, rendering his descent impossible, and soon after a conveyance appeared upon the grounds, whereupon the bell was quickly loaded into the wagon, and escorted by some six or eight citizens, moved rapidly out of the city and disappeared in a northerly direction. This was done in less time than it has taken to relate it, the Rev. Michael viewing the whole proceedings from the belfry, venting his rage and mortification in violent gesticulation and expletives, which would sound strange if coming from a pul- pit. In this predicament he was compelled to pass the time until the coming of his confederate, Margrave, who, by replac-
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ing the ladder, released Michael from his elevated prison. His reverence descended, his sandy locks standing erect, vowing vengeance through his livid lips, and presenting a most perfect picture of impotent rage. He commenced suit against certain of our citizens, and like Saul of old, he applied to the sooth- sayers and those who have dealings with familiar spirits, but all in vain. The whereabouts of the bell remained a sealed mystery to him, and to nearly all of our citizens for some years."
At length the following facts developed: The company taking the bell from Hummer, proceeded up the river to a point near the mouth of Rapid creek, where the bell was sunk in deep water. This was to remain a profound secret until the difficulty between Hummer and the church could be settled, and thereafter, the bell was to be returned to its rightful owners, the church authorities. The parties engaged in this were not, it is said, members of the church, but citizens actuated by a laudable desire to retain so valuable a bell in the city. But unfortunately they had a traitor among them who secretly removed the bell to another point in the river, and when it was sought for by the parties hiding it, it could not be found and nothing further was ascertained of its whereabouts until the return of some of our citizens from California, when the mys- tery was revealed. David Lemraux, a native of England, who belonged to the Mormon church and had been living in the city for some years, and James Miller, started in company for California, and it appears they took the bell from the river, where they had last placed it, and headed it up in a cask well packed in sawdust, then secretly loaded it upon an ox wagon and transported it across the plains, over the Rocky mountains to Salt Lake City, where it was sold to Brigham Young, for a sum far below its value, and at last accounts was being used to call the "Latter Day Saints" together for worship.802
In later years the "old Bell" was fully identified by those who know all about the circumstances, and correspondence in recent days points to the fact that it may yet be restored.
"In 1895 General Charles W. Irish, of the U. S. Office of Irrigation Inquiry, Washington, D. C., and his daughter, Eliza- beth, were traveling through the west in the interest of the Agricultural Bureau, and while in Utah he made the acquain-
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tance of a large number of pioneer Mormons and in conversa- tion with these people he mentioned pioneer days, and related to them what he remembered regarding their crossing Iowa on their way to the Golden West and the taking of the noted Hum- mer bell, whereupon they became very much interested in this bell story and asked if he had any means by which he could iden- tify it. Mr. Irish stated that he had seen the bell many times and that the name of the foundry and city were stamped on the bell. They stated to Mr. Irish that they had an old bell which Brigham Young had brought across the plains with him, and that it was stored in an out-building in connection with the Tithing House. They then invited General Irish and his daughter to meet them at the Tithing House the next day, and they would with him examine the bell, and see if it contained the marks he had stated were found on the Hummer bell. The following day as agreed the bell was brought forth and the men, armed with magnifying glasses, soon found the name of the foundry and city which General Irish had told them was im- printed on the bell. After the identification had been com- pleted, General Irish asked for their history of the bell, when they stated that it was first used for church purposes, and to call the workmen to their duty each day, but in later years when Brigham Young built a private school house for his own children, the bell was placed in a cupola on it, and was used to call the children to school. When their new school house was built, the old bell was retired to the Tithing House, and was almost forgotten; when the former history was given them it brought the historic bell back into the world again, and it im- mediately became more valuable to the Mormons than at first, for now love nor money could not obtain it from them, but these old pioneers gave the general their word of honor, stating that when all the older Mormons had passed away, the bell, of course, would not be of interest to the younger generation, and that they would consent to have the Hummer bell pass to the general or his daughter."
Information to Miss Irish from a Mormon lady in 1910 states that "the Hummer bell has now been placed in the Mor- mon Ladies' Historic Chamber at Salt Lake City, Utah where visitors can behold it when touring through the west."
The event of the seizure of the bell and the consequent ex-
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citement and peculiar scenes involved in the outcome led to a rather remarkable result in the life of one who then a boy stood on the "outskirts of the crowd," for he put the queer affair into cartoon with a piece of crayon on an old sheet of brown paper. This appearing in a shop window attracted the attention of one of the law makers then frequenting the streets of Iowa City, who had an eye for the talent displayed in the young lad, and graciously undertook his education in the particular line in which he showed such evident talent, and later sent him to Italy for further training. There he won the approval that success merits and later came to his native town to claim the hand of one of its fair daughters. His sketches are carefully preserved in the rooms of The State Historical Society.303
Efforts were made to effect a settlement with Mr. Hummer, and papers now in the possession of the church authorities are illustrative of that fact. The following is a literal account of the experiences of the patient Rev. John Crozier, who was sent on such a mission :
"Burlington, Iowa, Oct. 6, 1853.
"To the Bd of Trustees of the 1st Pres Church of Iowa City : Sirs : - as your agent to see Mr Hummer & if possible make a settlement with him I make the following report. I arrived here last evening & made immediate inquiry about him. I learned that the Presbytery of Iowa which was to meet on Tuesday 4th had adjourned on the 5th & that Mr H had made application to be restored to the Church but was refused. My informant could not tell me whether Mr H had left or not. I thought he might possibly be still remaining on the ground & this morning I drove out to Middletown 8 miles west of this and there I found him; & had an interview of several hours.
"In regard to the proposition made last spring to take half the amount due on the mortgage, he says that he never authorized Mr Woodard to accept any such proposition & there- fore did not consider himself in any way bound to such accep- tance. I used every endeavour in my power to induce his acceptance but in vain. I then made him the proposition to the extent if my instructions viz to pay him $500, $400 down & the other hundred in one year, & and we pay our own costs. Neither could I gain his acceptance to this proposal. I told him my
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authority to act in the matter could go no farther than that. In my anxiety to have the matter settled if possible I then wished to know on what terms he would settle & the very best I could do is contained in the accompanying paper in his own hand. (See the paper).
"This will probably be $40 or $50 more than the proposition I was authorized to make. I told him that if you should accept the proposal you would give personal security for what should remain. I learned from him that he has (or says he has) in his possession a paper from the trustees setting forth that $500 of his obligation against the church was on motion of Mr Mc- Rory granted in consideration of services actually rendered on the church, and not for services to be thereafter rendered. I would direct the attention of the Board to this subject, as that paper would conflict with the testimony which we have under- stood the members of the Old Board would make when per- mitted. I am well satisfied from all I have been able to see and hear that if any compromise is to be expected it must be on the terms here enclosed. Just or unjust, it is the best I could do. "I am Gentlemen Yours truly John Crozier." 304
The paper referred to in the letter of Mr. Crozier is in the hand writing of Mr. Hummer, and was found in the papers in the case, although separated from the letter that enclosed it as mentioned in the note of the line which mentions it. The terms expressed by the creditor were very explicit. The claim was to be settled within two weeks on the following conditions : "Four hundred dollars down; one hundred in one year with interest at ten per cent; the costs in the case with an attorney fee for Hummer's attorney, which he said would not amount to more than fifty dollars, and if it did he would pay the dif- ference." All this on condition that the settlement should be made at once.
On the back of Hummer's communication Rev. Crozier made a memorandum recommending the acceptance of the offer as "judging from what he had heard and seen" there was no hope of doing any better.
With the aid of this letter of Mr. Hummer one may identify the subscription and expense book that he carried on the trip east for funds, and there are some items that make it very interesting as the sources of the donations mentioned here. He
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OXFORD, IOWA
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spent four and one-half weeks in Pittsburg, at five dollars per week, which of course was paid by the contributions of those who gave money to help build the church in far off Iowa, and his collections from his own note book are named in part as follows:
"Collections for Church in Iowa City-1847.
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