USA > Iowa > Scott County > Organization and proceedings of the Pioneer Settlers' Association of Scott County, Iowa, with a full report of the first festival > Part 3
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No one in those dass expected to live long enough to see the iron horse flying over this western prairie, with its freights of Lu- man life, rich merchandise from the Fast. and the still more valuable products of the West.
Our ideas about traveling and commerce | occasion. and who made the round trip, and had not advanced bevond a light draught . returned wiser, if not better, fresh water . Coveys.
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OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION OF SCOTT COUNTY,
lation of domestic institutuns in their own bander in chief, in obedience to his call way, subject only to the party that could , The WAY of a bryder county in Town. pull the most votes, and make the returns | underto K to autores the collection of taxes show it.
The result of this election indicated arrested by the authorities of Missouri. The
very respectable population in the county in point of masher-, and proved taat Dav- enport had colonized the most votes. 'The tinversor imens ordered out the militia and returns were made to the Governor, who calleu ! : volunteers. . iy voice is now refused to i-que a certificate, in consequence for war"-was the patriotic response of er- of alleged illegal voting, and the Legislature , ery the "Hawkeye." The county seat again provided for another election, and question was forgotten in the more import- that the result should be recorded on the ant duty of driving the invaders from our records of the Commissioners of Dubuque soil. Davenport and Rockinghama men met, county.
The election came off, and Rockingham claimed the victory -- while Davenport de- clared that the whole thing was illegal and void. From the popular arena the contest was transferred before the Commissioners , quarters of the Scott County Ariny, in or- of Dubuque county, thence to the courts. thence to the Legislature, and finally back again to the ordeal of "popular -overeignty."
another struggle, and now, three or four , in case of an attack from the enemy.
Immediate preparations were made for different point- were brought before the people for the prize, Rockingham saw that she stood no chance in a triangular fight with her odd competitor, and at once de- termined to form an alliance with another rival candidate, located near the mouth of Duck Creek, so that the last contest Was really between Davenport, and the Duck Creek cornfield.
The records of this county show that Davenport was triumphant, and the que- tion was thus forever settled. The imper tant incidents of this last election were nut of sufficient interest to me at the time. to impres. my mind with more than one idea about them. I saw something "going up" and broke for "old Cedar."
Rockingham no longer rivals Davenport. but in vindication of the truth of History. in justice to those who once inhabited the place, and in honor of two of the "old Rock- ingham guard," who still eling to her soul, 1 may be permitted to say that she was once a great place, and well watered.
During the time of the contest for the county seat, an event transpired which must not be omnitted, in speaking of the his- tory of our settlement. A dispute arose between the state of Missouri, an I the then Territory of Iowa, as to the boundary line between them, and so determined were the authorities on both sides to exercise juris- diction over the disputed territory, that it resulted, in what is known to the Old Set- , character. tlers, as the "Missouri war."
' in the dispute| Territory. II: was at- executive of lowa demandela release. it was refused; and to re-quy this Sheriff;
! embraced, buckled on their artuor, and side by side -kouted their war cry- path to the The officers in com mand held a council of war, and it was de- cided that Davenport should be the head
der that the troops might be inspired by the sight of old Fort Armstrong, and at the vime time occupy a position so near the Fort. that a sale retreat would be at hand,
On the day appointed for the first drill, the whole country marched to the standard of the _illant Colonel in connaand, and Pareil at witnessed one of the most sper- in' mintary review - that ever took place within ber limits. The line was formed on the bank of the river, fronting toward the eneine's country, the right restmy against a cotton wood tree, the left in close proximity to the Ferry Noite. There they stood, vet- crans of fren mise and dauntless courage, presenting a sight that would have dannted the net desperate for, and assuring the women and elnldren that they would de- fad their homes to the death, against the " border rudans " from the Des Moines River.
The weapons, carried by some of these volunteer patriots, were not sati-factory to ile commanding officers, and about one- fourth of the army were ordered out of the ranks, and their services di-pensed with, unless they would procure others of a dif- ferent character, and more in accordance with the Army regulations. The objection- able weapons consisted of a plough-colter, carried in a link of a large log-cham, which the valiant soldier had over his shoulder. Another way a sheet iron sword about six fet in length, fastened to a rope shoulder strap. Another was an old fashioned tin sausage stuffer. Another an old musket without a lock, and the balance of like
The order was given for the owners of these non ie-cript weapons to march ont uf
There were warriors in those days ; and I should do injustice to the patriotism of the ranks three steps. The order was that period, if I neglected to notice the mili- , obeyed. The ranks closed up, and the of- tary daring of the volunteers, who rushed to fending soldier, were discharged with a re- the standard (and rations) of the com- ; prinand.
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PIONEER SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION OF SCOTT COUNTY.
I am not prepared to say that the com- , industrious, happy owners of the soil.
manding officer was justitied, in this stiu- In I840, there was litt one steam engine marily discharging so many men, who were in operation within the borders of your readly and anxious to serve their country : county, and that one was at Rockinghad .. and the result proved. that the mount of To-day you may count them by hundreds bravery dismissed was equal to that retain- along the bank of your river. from Buffalo ed ; for no sooner were the discharged sol- to Princeton, on our prairies, and in our diers clear of the line of the regiment. than groves.
they formed a company of cavalry. a com-' In 1840, every face you met was a fami- pany of dragoons, and a company which liar one, and the greeting a greeting of re- comnition. To-day the oldest inhabitant hardly knows his next-door neighbor.
In 1840. it took from three to live dar- to go to Cineago, and thirteen to New York. To-day the lightning train puts you in Chi- cago in eight hours, and in New York in forty.
In 1840, the young men of this Associa- regular army without the loss of a man on ' tion were happy children, sporting upon either side. the village green, and making the welkin This conflict was disastrous in its results i ring with merry laughter and innocent joy. to the regular army, and before the forces | To-day they are men aspiring to a position in life, that shall give them honor among their fellow men.
This unlooked for ce-ation of hostilities In 1840, the mothers and daughters of Scott County were imppy in their cabin homes, and could pas in and out through was a severe blow to the military aspira- tions of the " Hawkeye-," and disappointed the just expectations of those who had i the cabin doors. To-day the mothers aul hoped to distinguish themselves in the de- ! daughter- occupy no more space in this fence of our Territorial rights. The disap- , open country, than the dear good creatures pointment was not felt by the army of Scott ' are entitled to.
County alone. Numerous companies had . In I>40. we were looking forward to a been formed elsewhere, and had started for | time when our then territory should be- the seat of war, with supplie- for the cam- come strong enough, to add another mem- paign.
ber to the Federal Union, and convince our A company of abont thirty left an ad- chieftain, who often used to say that he eastern friends of the truth of " Rastreard joining county, under the leadership of al the star of rapure tolkes its way." To-day our most sanguine expectations are far conld "whip hi- weight in wild cats," and ! more than realized, and we regard with who has since represented you in the Na- tional Congress-has been upon your sn- pride our noble state, its pro-pective future. and the inducements it hold, out to the preme Bench, and ba- also been Chief Jus- ; thousand, at the east, who still cling to tice of California. that - Old Fogy" three inch soil, which
lle started out with thirty men and six ' with patient cultivation viehl- white beans, baggage wagons, well loaded with supplies buckwheat cakes, and pumpkin pies. for his little army, and, being determined to keep up the spirits of hismen, he freight- I sary of the birth day of George Washington ed tive of his wagons with whiskey.
The question of boundary was sube- quently submitted to the Supreme Court of the United States, and the disputed Terri- tory given to lowa.
At the commencement of the year 18-40, this County contained about twenty-five hundred inhabitants, of which number about five hundred resided in Davenport. To- day your county boasts of a population of | thirty thousand, and this city claims eigh- teen thousand of that number.
In 1840, at the head of the Rock Island Rapids, on the spot where now stands the ! "the first word of American infancy should city of Le Claire with a population of twen- ty-five hundred, grew a dense forest. be mother ; the second father; the third Washington." Although it is well that we as American citizens, should, on this his
In 1:40, the fertile, beautiful prairies of old Scott, were lying undisturbed by the anniversary day, linger for a while at his husbandman ; to-day they are teeming with ' tomb, and renew our patrioti-m. vet. loo.
Mr. President :-- This day is the anun er- -our Washington-and we have chosen it as the day for our present and future festi- vals.
It is a day on which every true American citizen does some act in honor, or gives some thought to the memory of the father of his country. That memory is the sacred heritage of the people he established and no generation of that people shall pass away without leaving some memento that he was indeed first in the hearts of his coun- trymen.
Some one ha- truthfully written, that
they called the "Squad." and then, under the superior generalship of their leader, the knight of the six fout sword, they made a bold charge upon the regulars, broke their line, drove not a few of them into the river, some into and some around the Ferry Hlouse, some into the grocery, and some ont of town; thus defeating and dispersing the
could again be collected, peace was declared and the army disbanded.
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PIONEER SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION OF SCOTT COUNTY.
it is eminently fitting, that, a -- embled as , pioneers, with the sympathies and feelings of pioneers all aroused wallin us, we should go to that tomb to-day, and remember that, he too was a pioneer, and that in him barn- i ed strongly that bold !. adventeron. per-e- vering spirit that makes the monter ; that he, too, endured pioneer hard-liig, and pri -! vations, compared with which. oms sink in- ! to insignificante.
In his youth he was a pioneer surveyor in the then wilds of his native State. and many of the boundaries then established by him may be found to-day. In his early manhood he was selected by the Governor of Virginia as a pioneer envoy through the wilderness to the U'reach Commandant on ! the Ohio. He was a pioneer in leading a . little army against the French and Indian, in defence of the Virginia frontier, and thus carly in las military career did he become known among li, -avase foes as ** tite spirit-
The company then proceeded to the parlors and spent an hour in shaking protected tam, who would be a chief of na- i hands and conversation with one another, tions, for he could not die in battie." lle , when the dining rooms were opened and was a pi more in every thing that tended to | the company proceeded to supper. After advance the prosperity and happiness of his blessing, invoked by Rev. J. D. Brason, native landi.
He was che pioneer of freedom in one legislative balls; on the battle-deid: through the long dark on; - of that terrible struggle; through the peniel of doubt and confu-ion that succeeded ; and his wisdom and patri- otism, equal to all emergencies. at. In-t led us | Grant, chairman of the committee : into the haven of' rest, of peace, and of pros- perity.
Ilis life is a part of hi- country's history ; | 1. Washington !- No nation can claim, no and as living he faid the cornerstone of this country can appropriate him to itself. His jame is the common property of patriots throughout the civilized world. Standing and in silence. vast confederation of stone, that year by year, is waxing greater among the nations of the earth, so, though lead, his maxims and example, if we adhere to the one and 2. The Forly Pioneers of Scott County-The hardships and privations of a frontier life justly eatittes them to the esteem of all those who enjoy the fruits of their early struggles : their posterity shall rise up and call them blessed. imitate the other, shall jarodtice a history more glorious than that of the past ; shall nourish a greatis that tirar shall huit add to and coalina ; and the unborn generations shall rise up, and revere him as find's chosen instrument of be -- ing to their land. Let his wisdom and in- patriotism ever pervade i and guard the land he loved,-let his spirit be with us hu-dis ; and as each turnin_ year bring; round again our festival day, let ut ; ever remember that it is also the day that marks the birth of GFORCE WASHINGTON ..
The Association then all joined in singing " Auld Lang Syne, " a> follows : I. Should add acquaintance's front, And never hrungsitt to matol ? Should muid acquimauer we fre gon, And the ikus of auld lang syne: CHORE's .- For anbl lang syn , my dear, For nuld lang said : We'll lake a map of kindness yet, For auid fang stur.
We twn have run about the braes, tod pultesd the goas ns fiar :
Bu: we've wawiered many a weary foot Siice auld huby sync.
Cauxes-For aukl lang syue, &c.
311.
5, two bave waddled in the Imrn Fren morning till ann dot ;
But so is lostwhen the legend breve profil e.twee the days of auld lang syne. CHOREs .- For auld lang syne, &r.
IV. And iare's my hand my truete friend, Coone. give a haut nt thine ;
And we'll take a cup to find-hip's growth, For aului lanz zvuc.
CRopus .- bor auld lang syne, & ..
And sur ly so i'll be your pint stour, And carry I'll be none ; And we'll take a drop of kindness jet Fr& ld lang syne. Choses .- For auld lang syne.
the whole company proceeded to partake of the bounteous and elegant supper prepared for the occasion.
After supper, the following regular toasts were announced by Mr. James
REGULAR TOASTS.
8. The Pioneer Deod-May their names be preserved. their hardships remembered, and memorie. cherished, by their survivors, by their descendants, and by all who enjoy the goodly heritage to which they led the way.
To which the Hon. James Grant, re- sponded as follows :
MR. CHAIRMAN :- I cannot respond to the sentiment just uttered, without inter- rupting, for a moment, the current of your joycas thoughts, while I ask you to drop a tear to the memory of the dead.
Of all this numerous assembly there are few, 10 whom death has not come nigh, since they first encountered the privations and toils of a settlement west of the great river.
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PIONEER SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION OF SCOTT COUNTY.
Some have lost a father or a mother, I No stori Al urn or animated bust marks some a brother or a sister, some a hus- i the spot where the pioneers sleep their band or a wife, and many, many have : last sleep. They are buried beneath the seen their children wither and fade as if huge oak, whose shade they never see, struck by the band of an avenging God. [ or under : high hvad-land of the Mis-
It is no exaggeration, that since we jsissippi. against which the whistling first came here, in a single season of winds and warring tempests are silent to great calamity, incident to the exposures | them. of every new settlement, one-tenth of our then small population was swept away.
Death, sir, is ever terrible; whether he knocks at the palace or the cottage gate, at the bridal chamber, or when the mother, for the first time feels her first- born's breath-
The tear, the groan, the pall, the bier, Aod all we know or dresd or fear Of agony are his.
But he came upon our departed friends when they were just entering a new world, upon the prairie land, before the spring flowers of prosperity were opened to their view ; when the cabin was un- thatched, and the physician, and the minister of God were far away.
They died on the spot where they were taking the place of the red man, and preparing a new theatre for civiliza- tion, arts, morals, and liberty.
Early they departed, but not till their eyes were greeted by the dawning of the day, and they beheld. in the dim mist of the morning, the budding promise of the wilderness, and friends, and sons, att daughters, to enjoy the goodly land which which they had but seen.
Though to many of them the band of angel woman ministered not in their last hour, yet the rough hand of manhood, softened by the sympathy of sorrow, was never wanted in the day of their calami- ty, and the pioneer, though not versed in the set phrases of cultivated society, was ever present, with gentle voice, and gentler deeds.
"To speak the last, thu parting woul, Which, when all other sounda dret, Is still like distant music heard, That tender Ihren ell on the shore Of this rude world when all is n'er."
We know not if the dead visit this earth, or take note of our actions, but if they do, their spirits are bovering over us this night, and their hearts made glad, that God is smiling upon us, that we are permitted to live, and enjoy this pleas- ant hour ; that we have renped the re- ward of those toils and sufferings under which they were doomed to fall.
Their good deeds should be their mon- ument. The glory of their fair and vir- tutous actions is above all the escuteheons on the womrbs of the great.
Honor. then. to the memory of those brave men, and brave women, who lost their lives in lighting the battle of civil- -ization on the frontier.
They encountered no human foes ; their last aets are not stained with blood; their conquests were made with the plough and the spade, and not with the cannon ail the musket ; and though they fill in the beginning of the conflict, and in the heat of the day, they won the bat- tie, and lent us to enjoy the victory.
Every smiling field and green mend- ow ; every school, every college, every church, every village; this city, with all its wealth and pomp and pride ; shall be their monttmaems, recalling their m-mo- ry, hemaking their triumph, and honor- ing tivir virtues.
+1 .. . ; the gonit, who sinh to ret Brno -test withtry's wishes id'st Wh : p : «, with de sy nugers enal. 1: Cfr half ofess a sareter sod, Than ary' . p. t have eser inni. Be thy Gande, their hin HI is rung,
1. The Size of Empire-When in its western progra . it- vejsof light fell upon the virgin soil o: lova. R hew destiny was conceived, wich in it. birth, lite the " Star in the Best," La, brought forth its wise men to worship.
Responded to by Rev. G. F. Mayoun, who, after a few introductory remarks, read the following fine Poem-the pro- duction of a young lady-Miss MARY E. MEAD-an "old settler " by birthright :
REMINISCENCES.
Isofi, ar se. 1. une d 's laight s .d warm, 501. 0 M4 .. 7 ". ipt > cethe :. A. while . . y tell
flie da'
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OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION OF SCOTT COUNTY,
But nnw we sit, -at twilight's soft dreline,- In peace beneath the shadow of the vine.
Ir e'er to conquering warrior has been owed The glory of an honorrd, world-wide name : If d'er on noble souls has boru bestun mil That lofty homage which is truest famr : If d'or in history's fare or classic verst Our country's Father, have been justly praised : In humbler strains we surely may rehearse The deeds of thuse by whoin our hearths were raised: Who left tlwir kindred to return no more, And reared their altars on this wild-wood shore.
All are not lure : Where sinks the emerald ware In long, dull surges toward the glowing West, Lies many a heart as noble ami as bare As e'er was laid beneath the son to re -:. They dropped the acorn on the barren ghole- At noon we rest beneath the oak tree's shade.
We meet again ; the scattered band umte .In sucial converse as in days of vore : Not Notas when, within the rudely light Of oak boughs blazing at the cabin dour, We sat and tallasl the winter night away, Till morning streaked the Eastern hills with gray.
No more the Red Mon round our dwelling prowl. No fors lies amlishedl in each leafy bower, No more the wall's awitt spring or sudden huwl Startles the stroper at the midmight hur : Nor leaping flante : before the rapid gale Speed bike the waves when wintry storms prevail.
From lonely AnsiarRosa's now-dismantled fort Down the still stream no martial strains air hurne. In stately towns where lisy cruvals resort. The cheerful sounds of labor greet the moth. From happy homes the viger ot mirth floats by. And plashing waves and laughing winds reply.
Oft have I heard the times reconuted o'er, When every cabin window was a door, -When corn was ground upon a lantern's side. And doors by latch-strings to the thinbers tind : Small was the store a lawless hurde to tempt, Froin thieves and rubbers happily exempt.
Howe'er that he, of this there is no doubt In those good times the lateh-strings all hung out. And neighboring friend and stranger quest might share The roof tree's shelter and the sunde tate : E'en now the calin ten In twelve is soon
Where on A time 'tis said there lodged littern'
But mingled with these recollections guy There wakes a saddor, gentler strain for thus+ Who like some castle cruintding to deony Were doomed to ruin when the new arosr.
'Tis eve, the stars with silv'ry huren Rise silently and slow, The pallid moun looks out between. The waves repose helow, And not the dipping of an oar Breaks on the stillness of the shore.
Was it the whisper of the breeze Sighing among the targled grass ? Was it the mingning of the trees When far ahore the storm clouds pin -. : Oh no, in silence still and deep, The tiniest flower is Inllol in sheep.
Lut there ARE sounds,-I hear them now. They swell along the plain : 'Tis not the murmur of the rill. "Tis not the dish of main,- And ean there le a foot so light To stir the rustling leaves to night :
There is,-along the glant hill-vide," Where dark-ume foresta how, Siugly the dusky liguri 4 ghde,- Look you can see them now : Pause ! 'tis a band of Indian ursvis- Who come to seek their chieftuins' gisies Disturb them not, as silently Theso well known paths they trart. Not long among us may there be Remnants of that old race. They fade as failes the morning ras Before the glowing eye of day.
A little time they linger herr, Uocared for and unkoowo, To shed a solitary trar.
O'er comrades lost and gune. Silent and sad they gather round Some lonely, undistinguished mound.
Hark ! all the salemo woods along, A soft and saddened Iny As if' some heart in plaintive sung, Would pour itself anas. List ! while the mournful na lince swell Clear as the tone of evening belle-
"Still roll the river waves as blue As when we launched the bark canoe, Or when we applied the dritgang oar Beneath the shelter of the shor, Still simgry tho lark a welcome guest, Still folds the dove her wings to re-t. Still the green arching forest- - nread Their boughs as widely overhead. Jut 'neath their shadow now, alas ! No more our bounding warriors pass, Silent where once their footsteps fell, Land of our birth, farewell, farewell !" Sott echo answers to the trembling lay ; 'Neath heavy shadows glides the group sway.
Oh ! kindly sun ! Oh ! soft benignaut day ! At thy glad dawn the darkness takes its flight, Tho sombre hues of twilight melt away, And sunrise bathes the Eastern hills with light. So smiled the mourn with beauty all aglow On this fair land some twenty years ago: Faint the light blushes up the dewy shies, l'rom ent and couch the cheerful {weilers rise, The cabin windows ape, wido tly the floor-, The frugal wife brings out her garnered stotes, The gleeful children, with their sun-browned hair, Forsake the house and sport in open air. While suon,-the duting at the morning doun,- Some strippling youth, with ready dog and gun, Ruains through the woods, if haply he may bring : From its fair height the wild hird on the wing, Or 'mid the rustling forost chance to hear The short, sharp panting of the startled deer, And proud, though weary, from the chase mas hear Back to his cot the noon and evening fare. One serks in pastures far the truant con. Another yokes the cattle to the plow, (Ir marches slow the well trained pair beside : ( Plain wagon seats were then un bar to prule- Well was the place of conch and four supplied !) So glides the day until at eve they meet. ( 'Inldren and sire, each in his 'customed Fint, While plenty smokes upon the cheerful board. And char cold wine the sparkling streams afford. Well the day's ventures do the hours hermle, The dullest face oft wears a gladsomr sunle. Now blue eyed "baby" sing- herself to rest, Safe cradled in an ancient, Thiless chest, Hark, from the farthest curner "Charlie's" call For "Pa" to make a rabhit on the wall. Then comes the time for little hunter "Ben," To day he surely found a lion's den. But closed are "Allic's" ever, her dropping head loods the soft pillow of her httlu bed. The hours pass cheerly till all softly creep Away to childhood's light, unconscious sleep,- And starlight, freping through the half-closed door, Kisses the sleepers on the cabin floor.
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