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 6
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that respectable garment on your no small dimensions, even in those early days. Weil sir, the coat was eut, fitted and made, and its newness had become familiar to our eyes, and but little was said, or thought about Le Claire's new coat, made from Mackinaw broadeloth, until one fine day, when many of us were assembled together, and you were then, as now, the centre of attraction- when your fashionable tailor, who usually gave entire satisfaction in his professional line, and the builder of your outer gar- ment, made his appearance in our midst with what was called a monkey-jacket, made from cloth so near color and qual- ity of that of which your own coat was made, that it would defy the best of judges to determine the difference .- There was electricity in that crowd ; it may have been fashionable at one time, asrelated by _Esop, for foxes togo without tails ; but these two conts, one on you with a tail, the other on the tailor withouta tail-was too apparent for the most su- perficial not to see how one garment had beeneked out to complete the other. Some parties would have contented themselves with having smiled in their sleeves, and making their comments in the absence of the tailor. It was evident, however, he had fallen into the wrong crowd, and in the smile that lit up your countenance it was certain there was a practical jobs ahead. Silence reigned but a few min-
Why Mr. President, about twenty years ago, if I should have made my appearance before this crowd, and have utrered that remark, " The City of Da- 1 venport," what irony would have lit up ! every countenance, and if I should have | utes, when you thus accosted him : " I
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PIONEER SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION OF SCOTT COUNTY.
K," at the same time raising the extrem- [ to the grocery all hands, took a horn ity of your own outer garment, and | of sod-corn-juice and parted as usual, good friends. Let me, return the zenti- ment. We are a city ! Davenport to- day numbers her thousands, where then she numbered her dozens; to-day where stand these proud walls, costing their tens of thousands of dollars to erect, then stood the humble cabin of our Presi -: dent, the abode of hospitality and good cheer amidst the cornhills, unleveled, where Black Hawk and his tribe but a a season before had cultivated in their rude way.
casting your eyes first at his cont and then at your own, proceeding with a knowing wink to the crowd, " why did you not take more from here, I could spare a little, and yours would look much better." It was too much for any of 113 to hold on any longer. One roar went up, and it was some time before the reverberation died away. It was too much for the tailor; he raved and swore, and the more he raved and swore, the more he was persecuted-and what was inten- ded as a joke he took serious, and became in his turn insolent, and I might add, the | aggressor. Fight he would, and fight he must; the charge of cabbaging could
Yes, we are a city. " The city of Davenport. The pet and pride of old Scott."
To deserve the just praise of a com- be cleared up in no other way than a munity, or a confiding people, is to earn resort to the code of honor, which, of it by merit and just dealing. Many men course, in those days was a resort to fisti- | are said to be honorable members of cuffs. It was soon evident that a fight | their profession or their trade ; while of was inevitable, as the tailor seemed to | others it may be said their profession or their trade, is an honorto them.
demand no boot or odds for disparage- ment of aize, he in common phrase, This distinction, Ibelieve, is appli- "pitched in." As soon as he came | cable to Davenport. I see many within reach of that iron grasp of yours, it was not perfectly plain he had made a sad mistske, and it was a wonder to us what was to become of our village tailor if ever he got three hundred and fifty pounds of avoirdupois over him. They say fortune favors the brave, and in this | case it seems the chances of war favored our knight of the lap-board and shears. in this assembage who are the bone and einew of old Scott, sturdy, honorable farmers. Citizens of old Scott, does not Davenport deserve the appelation? You built her; you caused her fair name to be spoken in praise by her citizens at home and the stranger abroad; and to-day, Davenport has no cause to shrink from a comparison with her sister cities. On that occasion you, had provided the | whether morally, socially or financially.
"The crown jewel of the upper Mis- sissippi."
lower extremity of your pantaloons with what was then quite the rage-a strong -- pair of leather straps. You may well History informs us, that the Koob-i- Toor diamond, which safely reposes among the crown jewels of Russia, weighs 193 carats, and is valued at 31,793,530. The Kooh-i-Noor dia- mond, 283 carats, and is said to have weighed when rough 793 carais, conse- quently, we may approximate its value in its present condition at 82,682,485 .- has the Kooh.i-Noor at Lahore. It is related, a Bengalee Shroil, or banker named Seel churd, resident at Loodianah, having occasion to visit Lahore, on the Rajah's business, asked his Highness for permission to see the jewel, which, upon being granted, Seelchurd tell on his face and worshipped the stone." How fitly spoken then as the crown jewel of priceless value, as the admired of all the world, imagine this time what a laugh went up, to see you, in your efforts to put your foot on the poor beseeching prostrate tailor-again and again as you held him down with ony hand and attempted to raise your foot, so as to place it upon him-and in every effort failing, and the object had in view, becoming at last apparentto yourself, was utterly impossi- A prince of India named Reejeet Singh ble, and your anger at the same time relaxing, you, like the rest of us, joining hastily in the laugh, remarking that the gallows' at the lower end of your breech- es, was the means of saving his life, released him from his perilous situation, and ceased your ammusing motions, over our prostrate fellow-citizen on a pledge on his part to behave himself. A reconciliation took place, we adjourned
PIONEER SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION OF SCOTT COUNTY.
"Sub. Rosa ( under the rose ) in secret, privately, in a manner that forbids dis- closure : the rose being among the ancients the symbol of secreey, and hung up at an entertainment, as a token that nothing there said should be divulg- ed." The propriety of modest worth is here fitly referred-the tattle mess- manger is justly shunned and dreaded. Your greatness, wealth and good name will surely tind its way into the world, and be properly appreciated without being trumpeted about, by one's own lips-as the rose has nothing to blush for, but worth, so let Davenport imitate her fioral symbol.
An American traveler in that region
and to he worshipped by the rich for its great value, so will Davenport as a crown | in 1834, who passed over the plain r>- jewel, be visited and worshipped for her | marks : " The whole Vallley of Sharon intrinsic value-ber morrlity, intelli- gence, her seats of learning, the arta and the sciences. from the mountains of Jerusalem to the sea, and from the foot of Carmel to the hills of Gaza, is spread before you like " The Rose of Sharon, and the Lily of the Valley." 1818081 a painted map, and is extremely beautiful, especially at evening, when the luat ray of the setting sun gilds the distant mountain tops, the weary husbandman returns from his labor, and the bleeting flocks come frisking and joyful to their fold. At such a time I saw it, and ling- ered long in passive meditation, until the stars looked out from the sky, and the cool breezes of evening began to shed soft dews on the feverish lands. What la paradise was here when Solomon . reigned in Jerusalem and sang of the roses of Sharon." What a picture is here given you of Davenport, twenty years ago. How fresh it must be in the
This is a pleasant portion of my theme to dwell upon. We are told by the best authorities, that " the Rose has always ; been the favorite flower among civilized ! nations." The beauty of its toliage. the elagance of its form, the large size and agreeable tints of the flower, together with its delicious fragrance, have all ! conspired to acquire for it the distinction of the queen of flowers." That we are . a favorite place is undeniable; the beauty that surrounds us, the elegance of our city, the large size and agreeable ar- rangements of our public and private | minds of those who were here some edifices, together with the grace and beauty that inhabits them, all conspire to acquire for us, the distinction of the queen of cities.
fifteen or twenty years ago, of the love- liness that nature spread out before the eyes of the beholder in this valley !- The wild roses growing spontaneously where our business streets lie ; and the lily of the valley springing up in the lower part of our city.
The lily, that has always held a promi- nent place in emblematic langunge. In the middle ages and in modern times, the white lily has always been the emblem of chastity. Hence the Virgin Mary is ! often represented with a lily in her hand, or by her side.
In this beautiful vale of Sharon, many years ago, (and I hope the partner of my pleasures and 'of mysorrows now present, will pardon the allusion. ) I sought out a lily in this beautiful vale, and placed her at my side; that choice I have never had canse to regret, and to the younger members of this Pioneer's Seitler's Asso- 1 they be speedily about it.
The lovely plains of Sharon are fre- quently spoken of in the good book- ciation, who have thus far failed or a country in Palestine along the coast of | neglected to choose a lily to place at the Mediterranean-as beingexceedingly ; their sides, from the fair ones that yet beautiful and fertile, stretching along bloom in our midst, the only wish I can south of Mount Carmel, from Caesarea add for their happiness, is may they fare to Joppa. Its fertility and beauty are : as well as I have in my selection, and often alluded to by the sacred writers.
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PIONEER SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION OF SCOTT COUNTY.
CORRESPONDENCE.
BELLAIRE, O., Feb. 8, 1858.
GENTLEMEN :- I feel much complimented by your remembrance of me, and the invi- tation to the Festival of the " Pioneer Set- tlers's Association," on the 221 inst. Fre- gret very much that I cannot be with you on the occasion-the first re-union of those, still living, who were associated in the found- ing of society in your county, will be an event of unusual intere-t. The recollec- In the spring of 1835 I settled upon the Illinois shore, where Stephenson (now Rock Island) was afterwards located. In 1836 I removed to the west side of the Mississippi, into what was then Michigan Territory, af terwards Wisconsin, and now Iowa. In 1849 1 joined you in the organization of the Chicago & Rock Island Railroad Company. These epochs tell the history of my pioncer- tions awakened by it will have some things to sadden, but more to excite gratulation. Twenty years make but a short period in the history of communities ; but it is a long one in individual experience, more especially when the succession of events is a tener guage of time than the change of seasons. More than twenty years have gone by since the most of those who can be denominated | ship. In them I cannot boast that I accom- the Pioneers of Scott county, settled in | plished much for myself; but I thank God what was then Wisconsin Territory. Since that I have done something-or at least I that time what changes have come to all- | hope so --- for my fellow-man.
what trials to many. Some have passed away; but most of those remaining are able to claim that the occurrences which have built up the prosperity of your State have dealt kindly with their individual for- tunes, and repaid them for all the bard- ships and sacrifices they endured in the first ten years of their pioncer experience. These are the considerations which, with greater or less intensity, according to the respective fortunes that have attended the members of your association, will more ob- viously link themselves with the reminis- cences of the Festival. But there is a moral point of view in which the retrospection will have less of individuality, and, there- fore, a higher and more refined sense of gratulation. In the migration to that country, cach of us had our individual pur- poses to accomplish-some possibly sorelid and narrow-others, doubtless,. broad and elevated, with visions of enlarged useful- ness and a great future for the country they bad adopted. But whatever may have been our motives or dreams, the seven years of hard times which succeeded 1837, (opera- ting with peculiar severity upon a country so isolated from market as Jowa then wa -. ) brought everything to the grinding standard of a struggle for bare subsistence. But through all this struggle and gloom a great purpose was being accomplished ;-
" There is a Providence that shapes our ende, Rough hew them as we will."
plough furrow-every axc-stroke were un- witting but sure agencies in the develop- ment of the country, and in advancing it towards that day of awakening-that com- plete and active civilization of which the Locomotive is the true representative .- Twenty years elapsed, and the struggling pioneers of Iowa found themselves the fath- ers of a great and prosperous State.
You have placed two periods, conspicu- ously different in themselves, in juxtapo-i- tion upon your card-1840 and 1858,-lowa as it was, and lowa as it is. What a con- trast the two pictures present! The rapid colonization of Ohio and Kentucky were marvels in their day, but they are marvels no longer. Wisconsin may claim a parallel with lowa ; and Minnesota may boast a leap into Statehood of still greater apparent vigor ; but not, when it is considered that, for the want of railroad connection with the seaboard, the first ten years of Iowa were practically lost to her.
. Allow me, in conclusion, to hope that there will be many and pleasant re-nuions of the " Pioneer Settlers' Association."
Very truly yours, etc.,
J. H. SULLIVAN.
FRUIT HILL CLASSICAL INSTITUTE, MASS., February 9th, 1858.
GENTLEMEN :- Your note and invitation were transmitted to me by my father. I thank you very much for your kind invita- tion and welcome. It is with much regret that I am obliged to inform you, that im- possibilities which cannot be surmounted, will prevent my joining you in the ap- proaching festival. But although I cannot be present in person, still my best wishes are with you. I rejoice that I am a Hawk- eye, and I feel proud of the state of my na- tivity-may she continue to advance as rap-
The very difficulties of the country were preparing it for a brighter day. Every 'idly as she has for the past twenty years,
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PIONEER SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION OF SCOTT COUNTY.
till she shall become the leading State in | would give me great pleasure to meet those the Union. The "Pioneer children"-may who will assemble on that occasion and to they always remain true to their native 'renew old acquaintanceship formed many State, and never disgrace the land of their | years ago, while at the same time I should birth. Wx. B. GROVER. I experience some pain from reminiscenses of trials endured in former days, and from the FOXBORO, Feb. 15th, 1858. absence of many former friends departed. It was at Davenport that I first trod the soil of my adopted State, about nineteen years ago. Your large and flourisinng city was then but a hamlet, and no one could have rationally predicted its present pros- perity from what was then visible. It is one of the most pleasant facts in my history, that I was enabled with a few others. to found the Congregational Church, now so large and influential for good in your city. It is my sincere desire that the past success of the secular and religious enterprise of ; your citizens may be only a slight earnest of what is yet in store for them. With many thanks for the distinguished honor conferred upon me in assigning me a part in your an- ticipated exercises on the oocasion referred
GENTLEMEN :- I regret very much that circumstances are such that I cannot com- ply with your kind invitation to attend the first festival of the Pioneer Settlers' Asso- ciation, of Scott Co., lowa ; yet while ab- sent in body, let me assure you I shall be with you in spirit. It is a long time since I lived among you, and thea but eighteen months, yet I have always felt an interest in your prosperity, and have kept myself " posted up," by taking one of your good papers. My heart has often yearned for some of your " good things," and yet I have never felt that strong desire to be one day with you as I now do.
May the same God that has been with and highly blessed you, lead you safely through | to, I am this world up to our home in the skies.
Yours truly, E. GROVER.
JACKSONVILLE, Ill., Feb. 15, 1858.
GENTLEMEN :- Permit me to tender mny GENTLEMEN :- I received a letter a few days since from Mr. W. Barrows, in which i grateful acknowledgment to the members of your association. for their kind remem- was enclosed a card of invitation to a grand ! brance of the ". Absent Pioneers of Iowa." festival of the "old folks at home " Noth- I regret exceedingly that business will not permit my joining you on the interest- ing occasion of your first celebration, as it. niny delightful reminiscences of the past. with those whom I have ever considered in her prozre-s to her present greatness. ing could afford me more pleasure, than for myself and family to be with you on the occasion mentioned-to meet with friends of ; would give me intense pleasure to renew <0 former years, especially the hardy pioncers whose energy, toil and efforts have caused such wonderful developments in all that ; the advance-guard of your flourishing State, contributes to the happiness of man. would be a source of enjoyment, which would pro- Although I cannot be with you in person, I shall be particularly interested in the event. duce feelings in my heart of the most delightful character ; but circumstances beyond my control will prevent my be- May Heaven crown your feast with glad- ne .. and grant you a long lease of years, in which to enjoy the fruits of your early la- bors. - ing present-and with many thanks to the committee for their invitation, I close with the following sentiment :- " The pioneers of the West"-they were men of strong nerve Very truly yours, E. II. SHEPARD. and warm hearts, by their sacrifice, toil and efforts they have caused the solitary . LE CLAIRE, Feb. 20, 1858. places to be glad, and the wilderness 10 . bloom and blossom as the rose-may their memory be sacred. H. W. HIGGINS.
DUBUQUE, Feb. 1, 1858.
HION. JAMES GRANT :- Dear Sir : I am fearful that I shall not be able to attend the , festival of the old pioneers of Scott county on the 22d inst .. in your city. I have a severe cold, and am quite nnwell to-day-
GENTLEMEN :- I have received an invita- trust, however. I shall be better on Monday. If so, I shall certainly be down. After witnessing the struggles of the " Old Set-
tion from the Pioneer Settlers' Association, of Davenport, to be present at their ap- proaching Festival, on the end of Feb., | ilers" for near 21 years. I feel like rejoicing and to respond to a toast in reference to . when they rejoice. fasting when they feast. the " Pioneer Dead." I regret that it will | and mourning when they mourn.
In the event that I am too indisposed to
not be in my power to comply with the re- quest, as my duties here will not allow me come down. and there should be no person to be absent from home at that time. It i from here to respond to the 12th regular
Very respectfully yours, JNO. C. HOLBROOK.
NEW YORK, Feb. 11, 1858.
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PIONEER SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION OF SCOTT COUNTY.
toast please do so yourself. I know I am | The beauty of its situation; its salubrity ; Safe in saying that our people would feel the old associates, and familiar faces of safe with their interests confided to your hands.
public speakers.
friends are always present to my thought-, and I never fail to speak a word for them to I think a good many of our old citizens friends here when the West is the subject will be down, but very few of them ars of discourse. Living, as I do, on the banks of the Susquehanna. whose waters are like I send you a volunteer toast, to be read if I cannot come. Truly yours, į crystal, and surrounded by landscapes, the grandeur and beauty of which are perhaps LAUREL SUMMERS. unsurpassed, they seem to me not compar- ble to the scene from the bluffs below Da- DANVILLE, Pa, Feb. 15, 1858. venport, looking south and east, and bring- ing into our view the Twin Cities, the upper rapids of the great Mississippi. embracing the beautiful Rock Island, etc.
GENTLEMEN :- Accept my thanks for the card of invitation to the "First Festival of the Pioneer Association," and also for your kind note accompanying it.
There are no memories more cherished and fresh in my heart than those of iny res- idence among you, frem 1837 to I841; and it would afford me great pleasure to meet with my old friends on the occasion of the Festival, but I cannot. My heart will be there, however, beating in unison with your highest aspirations for the future prosperity of your beautiful city and county, and the long life and happiness of all the pioneers.
It is a cherished purpose of my heart to visit my once home at Davenportat as early a day as possible, when I hope to renew many of my old friendships.
I have also, in the name of my wife, and daughter born in Davenport, to thank you for the invitation, and assure you that it would afford them very great happiness to visit their oldl home and join the festival.
May the sun of prosperity ever shine on all of you until "gathered as a shock of
There is not in this great country a spot | corn fully ripe." With sincere regard, more sacred to my memory than Davenport.
ANDREW L. RUSSELL.
CLINTON ADVERTISER
10
AUG ESTES
NEWS AT DAVENPORT
PIONEER SETTLERS OF SCOTT COUNTY HOLD THEIR AN-
NUAL REUNION.
ATTENDED BY MANY MEMBERS.
C. W. Pinneo Chosen as President and Other Officers Named- James Dyer Given Chair.
Davenport, ug. 29 .- The name of C. W. Pirapo is to be the 55th to be inscribed upon the .ilver mounted cane as president of the scott coun- ty Pioneers' association. Mr. Pinaco having been elected to that post of bonor at the picnic held at the Out- ing club grounds yesterday.
The picnic yesterday was the 59th annualevent of this association, but Mr. Pinneo is the 5th president. Ah. ton Leclaire, the first president of the association served two years in that office, thus making the president electro yesterday the 55th. h has been the custom since the second year of the organization to pleet :1 new president each year. thus pass- ing the honor among the members. The cane upon which the names are inscribed is passed to the succeeding president for keeping until a new ot- ficer is chosen. B. Stephens is the retiring president.
The other officers elected yester- day were Phineas Curtis, vice presi- dent; Henr: Karwith. secretary, and J. F. Kelly treasurer. Mr. Karwath and Mr. Kelly have held their offices for several years past.
The chair to be presented to the oldest constitutonal member present at the pienie, was given to James Dyer. of Pleasant Valley. Mr. Dyer ! is 81 years old and came to Scott county in 1826. AIr. byer was pre- sented the chinir by J. H. Wilson, while Mrs. J. B. Scott and Mrs. Mc- Fate escorted him to it. Mirs. Mary Sommers, who received the chair giv- en last year, was reported to be in good health at this time although she was not able to be present at the pic- nic yesterday.
The following are the old settlers who have died during the past year: L. W. Clark, J. M. Stalter, Mrs. M. G. j Blakemore, William Armil, Mrs. E. M. Eldridge, Mrs. John Littig, Mrs. Dan Moore, Thomas ('rev, Mrs. H. C. Chapman. C. Nichols, Mrs. Louise Van Dusen, George Jacobs, Dixon, IIL
WILLIAM PARTELE
DD DAECIRCUIT
Annual Reunion of Scott County Old Settl .rs at Outing Club.
At the annual reunion of the Scott County Pioneer Settlers' association held today at the Onting club, the following officers were elected for the ensuing year:
President-William Parmele, Dav. enport township.
Vice presidents:
County and City-Phineas Curtis.
Davenport Township-Peter Littis. Pleasant Valley Township-Mrs. Cornelia Welch.
Winfield Township-J. T. Noel.
Princeton Township-Charles Rich.
LAClaire Township-J. D. Barnes.
Lincoln Townshio-J. H. Wilson.
Rockingham Township-C. H. S. Coleman.
Blue Grass Township-Robert Cov- per.
Allen's Grove Township-Mary A. Gilmore.
Secretary-Henry Karwath, Da, cie- port.
Treasurer-John F. Kelly, Daven- port.
Executive Committee-J. II. Wilson, Hugh Briceiand. Mrs. Cornelia Welch, B. M. Eldridge, Phineas Curtis and J. D. Barnes.
Both Mr. Karwath and Mr. Kelly were re-elected to their offices.
The speakers of the day were J. A. Hanley and George E. Hubbell. Mr .! Hanley entertained the old settlersi, for some time in an interesting man- ner. referring at the same time to the work which the pioneers had done for the county and the state.
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