USA > Iowa > Fayette County > Past and present of Fayette County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 10
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placed myself. Feeling that possibly but a few hours at the farthest remained during which I could hope to use my lower extremities, I determined to make the best of my time and pushed on.
"The rage of the storm seemed to increase from minute to minute. Toward midnight, with a temperature of from twenty to forty degrees below zero, the wind blew at the rate of fifty miles an hour. Overpowered by the conviction that I could not hold out much longer, I occasionally halloed as loud as my strength would permit in the hope of making myself heard by someone. But the maddened winds only seemed to mock me in my efforts.
"With death staring me in the face, I could not help speculating upon the probable fate of my body. It flashed through my mind that the wolves would likely pick my bones, and that when my skeleton would be found in the spring and my identity discovered or surmised, the newspapers would contain an item to the effect that I had been found dead on the prairie between Rochester and Winona, that presumably I had partaken too freely of liquor and, straying from the road, had frozen to death. As I had never even tasted liquor, this thought worried me greatly and seemed to revive my flagging energies. From that day to this I have been careful not to ascribe any serious accident to in- toxication unless indications clearly justified such a charge.
"While these and similar thoughts were still engaging my mind I came to a partly constructed pioneer cabin. The structure consisted only of four walls of roughly joined logs. It had neither roof nor door, nor windows, and the logs were not even chinked. Someone had probably commenced building the cabin on his claim late in the fall, but had been compelled by the approach of winter to abandon it.
"The discovery of this symbol of pioneer civilization in the snowy desert greatly encouraged me, and at once I resolved to make it my headquarters for further exploration. A short survey of this airy resort fully convinced me that to rest here was to surrender to grim death without a struggle. Remem- bering that there is a well marked disposition among pioneers to settle in clusters, I determined to walk in a wide circle around the embryo cabin in the hope of finding some human habitation near it.
"Taking a radius of about sixty or eighty rods, I proceeded to carry out my plan. I had passed not much more than half round the circle when, after surmounting a high swell in the prairie, I discovered a small grove in the distance. I at once abandoned my former base and quickened my steps, fully assured if there was a house anywhere upon that wide prairie it would be found in the shelter of the grove before me. I had not advanced very far before I espied a faint glimmer of light, proceeding, as it seemed to me, from
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a snow bank across a small ravine. Flying in the direction of this light, as fast as my benumbed feet would carry me, I presently found myself before a small log cabin which was half buried in a snow drift. It had but one little window, of which the lower portion was hidden by the snow, while its upper panes were so thickly covered with frost that they scarcely permitted the light to pass through them.
"The joy which I experienced at the sight of this lowly cabin may be imagined, but cannot be described. I rapped loudly on the door, and when it was opened I did not even wait for an invitation to enter, but boldly stepped in. The house was occupied by Mrs. Foot, with her three sons. After they had listened to my brief story of my cold adventure, the young men pulled off my boots and then brought in a pail of water to thaw out my frozen feet. They gave me a warm supper and a bed on the floor of the small attic. I slept close to the stovepipe and had a good night's rest. Never shall I forget the hospitality which I received at their hands. From them I learned that theirs was the only house within one mile of the main road for a distance of twenty miles, and that several persons had frozen to death on that road the previous winter.
"The next morning, with the mercury hovering about the point of con- gealation, I walked fifteen miles to St. Charles and on Christmas morning I proceeded from there to Winona. The wind had given way to a complete calm, and as I came in sight of that city a most beautiful spectacle, only to be seen in such a climate, presented itself to my eyes. The smoke from hun- dreds of chimneys rose in almost perpendicular columns until it seemed to vanish in the azure sky. Beyond the city lay the crystallized level of the majestic Mississippi, bordered by the snow-covered bluffs of the Wisconsin shore.
"I went to the land office, and after paying a premium of five per cent for exchange of my wild-cat money for gold, entered my quarter section of land and then turned my face toward my Iowa home, which I reached a day or two before the close of the old year, after having walked more than six hundred miles in the midst of the severe weather of that extraordinary winter."
A CIVIL WAR EPISODE.
Reference has been made to Rev. H. S. Brunson, but the following inci- dent, while pathetic in the extreme, serves to illustrate the prevailing char- acteristic of his life as a man of strong impulses and determined will. What- ever he believed to be right was espoused by him and defended, even to the
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last, and he did not hesitate, under great provocation, to use physical force if necessary. This is exemplified in his ministerial career when an effort was once made by some lawless young fellows to disturb the solemnity of a camp meeting in which the "Elder" was one of the ministers in charge. One of the boys, more defiant and aggressive than his associates, deliberately crowed in the face of Mr. Brunson, who thereupon seized the offender and backed him across a log, where he fell to the ground, and the Elder then gave him a good trouncing with a stick which he had in his hand. The young fellow yelled lustily, and, when released, hid himself in the crowd. But there was no more disturbance from that source. The companions of the chap, thinking to fur- ther the effects of the joke, clubbed together and bought a large sticking plaster, which they forcibly applied to the seat of his understanding.
At another time, and under like circumstances, the Elder had occasion to use physical force in controlling a disturbance at a meeting, and the ring leader, who suffered most from contact with the stick, had Mr. Brunson ar- rested, but the trial proved to be a farce and the Elder was fully vindicated, and even justified in the eyes of the law.
From the above recital it would seem that Elder Brunson was of a bel- ligerent nature, but the very opposite is true. His was a placid, peaceful dis- position, seldom ruffled by ordinary occurrences, but in the defense of truth and right he never failed to meet the occasion as the circumstances seemed to demand. During the Civil war he was intensely loyal to the Union, and though not himself an enlisted man (though he raised a company for the service), he was a devoted friend to the soldiers and rendered every possible assistance with voice and means in furtherance of their interests. Soon after the firing on Fort Sumter, Mr. Brunson encouraged his nephew, William Hartsough, to enlist. He was an immature and rather delicate boy, and the active duties of army life at the front, together with the radical change in the manner of living, soon told the story for him which was so oft repeated in the soldier life of thousands like him. Soon after the battle of Shiloh, in April, 1862, "Willie" Hartsough was prostrated with fever and sent to the govern- ment hospital at Mount Vernon, on the Ohio river. A letter was sent by a friend of the family (Mr. Barr) announcing the fact that "Willie" was seri- ously ill and demanding immediate attention. The elder Hartsough and his wife were much worried over the probable fate of their son if left to the doubt- ful care of the over-crowded hospital. A family council was held and it was decided that the father must go and bring his son back to the fostering care of his mother and home environments. But Mr. Hartsough did not have the money at hand with which to make the trip, and his only resource was to
(7)
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haul wheat to McGregor to provide the needed money. But the letter had stated that the patient "demanded immediate attention," and two or more trips must be made to the river to obtain a sufficient amount to justify the under- taking. Thus nearly a week of precious time would be lost before the start could be made. In this dilemma Elder Brunson came to the rescue, and it is well that he did, for it is doubtful if the father could have surmounted the obstacles which the Elder met on this "mission of humanity."
Mr. Brunson had about a hundred dollars, and having taken the funds at hand in the Hartsough family, he was driven to West Union immediately by Mr. Hartsough, who, with his wife, was overjoyed at this timely assistance, and by one in whom they had implicit confidence as to his ability to meet the doubtful circumstances.
At West Union Mr. Brunson borrowed another hundred dollars, and, thus fortified, he engaged J. J. Welsh to convey him to McGregor where he boarded the first train for Chicago from Prairie du Chien. From Chicago he went by train to Evansville, Indiana, and thence by boat down the Ohio to Mount Vernon. He arrived at the last named place, and the end of his route, about midnight. Mount Vernon was then a small place, only rendered con- spicuous by reason of it being the seat of a government hospital. There were no lights to guide his way, and being the only passenger to disembark at this point, he was much perplexed to find his way to a hotel, and through the information gained there, to find the hospital. But finally he saw a man car- rying a "candle" lantern who proved to be a "runner" of a hotel, and by his guidance he reached that much desired place. But it was not to rest or sleep- he hoped to gain information as to how he could find the hospital and gain entrance at such an unseasonable hour. He was informed that no one was admitted at night, that the orders were strict on such matters, and he would have to wait until morning. This was farthest from the Elder's thoughts or intentions. He came seven hundred miles to find Willie Hartsough, and he was not going to abandon the effort on mere "hearsay" information. He secured the services of the man with the lantern, who piloted him to the build- ing, but all was dark save one glimmering lantern to guide the nurses in their work. The Elder approached the door alone, and was met by two armed sentinels, one on each side of the door. To his inquiry "Can I get into this hospital tonight?" both sentinels answered in concert: "No!" Thenceforth the sentinels said not another word, but stood faithfully at their posts. For once in his life Mr. Brunson thought he had met defeat, but he was not dis- posed to give up the struggle without further effort. He explained to the sentinels the object of his visit-that his nephew was in there, either dead or
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alive, he knew not which, but he had come to take him home if alive, or to see that the body had Christian burial if dead. But the sentinels were immova- ble and speechless as far as his arguments were concerned. They still barred the door and said nothing. While trying to influence the soldiers to relax their apparently stolid indifference, the Elder heard a second-story window raised cautiously, and the voice of a woman said to another : "Why can't he be let in the back way?" Encouraged by the fact that he had more than two listeners, Mr. Brunson resumed the attack on the sentinels with renewed vigor. Those who have heard him in discussions, either religious, political or other- wise, are aware that by voice and gesture, as well as impassioned language, he possessed remarkable persuasive powers. No doubt this address, delivered at the door of the hospital, in the dead of night, with two auditors in sight, and apparently two or more in concealment, was one of the most earnest appeals ever delivered by him to "saint or sinner!" He repeated that he had prom- ised the boy's mother that he would bring her son home alive, if in the power of mortal man, by the help of Almighty God, to do so; and how by day and by night he had traveled with team, railroad and steamboat, over seven hun- dred miles to reach him; and now when only a door separated him from the object of his search, there must be some power in God or man to open the door and let him walk in! Thus far the sentinels had uttered but the single word "No," which absolutely denied him admittance. We cannot assume that a supernatural power was behind the scenes, but there must have been a pricking of conscience among the attendants, which took tangible shape in the slowly opening of the door from the inside, just wide enough to admit a man, and as the Elder was the only person there except the guards, he took it for granted that this was his opportunity. He quickly stepped inside into Egyptian darkness. No word was spoken by any one, nor was there any light to be seen. Mr. Brunson motioned to the landlord, whose dim light was shining at the door, and that personage joined the Elder inside the hospital. To this day it remains a profound secret as to who opened the door, or what motive prompted the noble act; but at the final accounting for the "deeds done in the body," the reckoning may show that some kindly, sympathetic mother, wife or sister of some sick or wounded soldier was the inspiring cause of this phil- anthropic act.
Inside the hospital inquiry was made for a list of names of the four hun- dred inmates, including those who had recently died, for it was considered more than probable that the name sought would be found among the dead. The lists were locked up, the doctors had all retired, and taken the keys with
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them. Mr. Brunson then inquired of the attendants if any of them had ever heard the name of "Willie" Hartsough. None of them had, but once again help came from an unexpected source. A lad of some twelve or fourteen years heard the Elder's inquiry and asked if it was really "Willie Hartsough" that he wanted! When informed that it was, the lad replied : "Well, he is the man I have been waiting on and he was carried to the dead room tonight !"
On further investigation it was found that those patients who were not expected to live over night were carried to the dead room each evening, that the presence of dead bodies around them might not be detrimental to the rest of the patients as yet more favored.
To those not inured to the terrors of cruel war this may seem a barbarous and uncalled-for procedure, and perhaps it was so; but it only emphasizes the truth of the adage that "too great familiarity breeds contempt!" Yes ! Contempt of death and its environments, in such cases as this! The soldier at the front was constantly in touch with the sick, the wounded, the dying and the dead. Such associations made him "callous," as it were, to the feelings which ordinarily impress people on such occasions.
Mr. Brunson was conducted to the dead room and there found his nephew, not dead, but barely living. After many trials and the mention of his own name and that of the boy's mother, he was able to arouse him slightly, and ap- parently received a ghastly smile of recognition. The doctors said he would surely die, but the Elder was determined to start home with him, though meet- ing many rebuffs and refusals, the surgeons in charge asserting that they had positive orders to allow no sick or wounded soldier to be taken home. And in almost as positive defiance of this order as in invading the hospital when denied admission by two armed guards, he got possession of the sick boy. Providing himself with a stretcher and other needed appliances, he started on the return journey. Men were hired to carry the patient from one depot or landing to another, as transfers became necessary on the route, and as they traveled night and day, much difficulty was encountered in getting anything suitable for a desperately sick man to eat ; but they finally reached home, and the joy of that waiting mother can easier be imagined than described !
After a lingering illness of many months, "Willie" Hartsough recovered, and for forty years he has been a minister of the gospel, in which noble call- ing he has rendered valiant service. Everybody knows and honors "Billie" Hartsough, and many are familiar with the story here recited; but the hero of the story seldom mentions his miraculous escape, except in his inherent mod- esty to say, that many others had closer calls on the fields of battle.
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'HOOVER AND THE BEAR."
Nothing has ever been written of a historical nature in this county that did not contain a reference to this subject, and as a pioneer reminiscence, por- traying some of the hardships and dangers of that now far-distant period, it is worthy of repetition :
One of the early pioneers of Dover township was Jacob Hoover, who settled on section 29, on the 19th of July, 1849. He came here from Logan county, Ohio, and while he was, at the time he came to the county, nearly fifty-three years old, he had resided on his farm north of West Union nearly forty years at the time of his death, which occurred in 1888, at which time he was over ninety years old. He was a man who enjoyed frontier life, and was very fond of hunting.
At one time Mr. Hoover was on the closest terms of intimacy with a very large black bear. Their acquaintance, if not their friendship, continued as long as they both lived, and while it might have been better for the bear if he had never met Hoover, at one time it looked as if it would have been much better for Hoover if he had never met the bear. Soon after he came to the county he and his two boys were hunting deer, when they saw a black bear browsing among some bushes, and about the same time the bear observed them, and be it said to the credit of the bear, he started off in an opposite direction and manifested no disposition to molest any one. If Mr. Hoover had made tracks for home as fast as the bear did for tall timber this highly interesting bear story would not have been told or written. Mr. Hoover loaded his gun, mounted the horse they had with them and started after the bear, telling the boys to make for home, only a mile or so away. A small dog accompanied Hoover, and while it could not hurt the bear much, it soon overtook him and annoyed him so much that he would frequently turn around and snap at it, but the dog was small and spry and had no trouble keeping out of his way. At one time, when the bear stopped to fight the dog, Mr. Hoover got a pretty good shot at him, but his gun was much better suited for hunting squirrels than bear and while the wound aggravated the bear to a certain extent it did not stop his retreat. In a short time the gun was again loaded and the bear again over- taken. By dismounting, a good broadside shot was delivered which brought the bear down, but he was far from dead and soon arose and traveled on in a southwesterly direction, although it was evident from his actions that he was suffering great pain, and the trail he left on the snow showed plainly that he was losing much blood. When the bear was again overtaken he was in a small ravine, about a mile and a half north of West Union. At first it seemed
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as if the bear was already dead and Hoover triumphantly gazed on the carcass of the first bear he had killed in Fayette county. But he was a little too hasty, as the bear did not propose to give up as long as there was a breath of life left in him. Hoover was sitting on his horse, very close to the bear, when sud- denly, and without giving any notice whatever, the bear raised himself up and standing on his hind legs reached for and got Mr. Hoover and began to tenderly but firmly embrace him with first one paw and then the other. The gun had been knocked to one side and Mr. Hoover was fast losing all interest in bears, as well as everything else. It was at this point that the little dog did most valiant service for his master, whom he seems to have had no idea of deserting at this stage of the game. When matters had reached their most critical stage, the dog made a most ferocious attack on Bruin's head, and for a moment the animal loosened his hold on Hoover to pay his respects to the little cur, and at the first opportunity Hoover rolled out from the loving embrace of his warm companion and lay quiet for a short time until he felt strong enough to reach for his gun, which, fortunately for him, was only a few feet away. He now worked with the utmost caution, as his life undoubtedly de- pended upon the next shot, if he was fortunate enough to be allowed to shoot. By almost superhuman effort, for a man in Hoover's condition, he managed to get the gun in position to fire, and placing the muzzle almost in the bear's ear he fired, and as good luck would have it, the bear rolled over and in a short time breathed his last, to the intense satisfaction of Hoover and the little dog. While Hoover had killed the bear, the bear had also nearly killed Hoover, and it was some time before he was able to make preparations for going home. His horse, equally as faithful as his dog, still remained within easy reach, and by first mounting the carcass of the bear, Hoover was able to mount his horse and ride home. A team was soon hitched to a sled and the whole family went after the bear, who gave them no further trouble as he was now dead past any earthly resurrection. By this time Hoover thought he had done his part in attending to that particular bear, and allowed one of the neighbors to help the boys skin the beast. The hide was so large that two or three men could easily be wrapped up in it. While Mr. Hoover was no coward, he never courted the friendly embrace of another bear. In skinning the animal a leaden ball was found imbedded in the flesh, and there were old knife marks on his hide, indicating that in some previous hand to hand conflict the bear had not come off second best.
ANTHONY THOMPSON'S EXPERIENCES.
Anthony Thompson, a venerable pioneer of Fayette county, and still liv- ing in West Union, had some thrilling experiences in the early days, and
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though extremely modest about discussing those things at present, asserting that "memory is treacherous," we are able to present from previously pub- lished records a recital of some of his experiences :
Early in the forties Anthony Thompson and another young man built a small trading place at or near where Vinton now stands in Benton county, and they did quite a business dealing with the Indians who were numerous at the time in that locality. Cedar Rapids then was a hamlet containing two or three houses. At one time there were rumors of an Indian outbreak and Thompson and his partner erected temporary barricades in order to defend themselves as best they could if trouble came their way, which luckily for them it did not. While stopping here Thompson made an entry of a quarter section of land between Waterloo and Cedar Falls, and after keeping it five years it would not sell for the price of entry. Thompson finally concluded to change his location, and started north on the trail leading from Quasqueton towards Fort Atkinson. He came up past Beatty & Orrear's, south of where Fayette now stands, and passed by the ruins of the Teagarden house shortly after the massacre at that place. He finally reached the Old Mission where he hired out to Mr. Fletcher, who was in charge at that time. He worked here for several months and speaks very highly of his treatment by Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher. While working here he was an eye witness to an encounter be- tween the Sioux and Winnebago Indians.
It seems that the Winnebagoes had been out hunting and the Sioux Indi- ans claimed that their territory had been trespassed upon, and they were now on hand well armed and well mounted, to obtain redress by force of arms for the injuries and insults that had been inflicted on their territory and tribe. The Sioux had chosen position on a low ridge to the north of the Winnebagoes, who were camped a little south of them in or near the edge of a strip of tim- ber. Both sides were somewhat protected by the abundance of tall prairie grass with which the country was at that time well covered. The fight com- menced by light skirmish firing by the Sioux, which was quickly answered by the Winnebagoes and soon the firing became quite general, and Fletcher de- cided that something must be done at once or there would not only be much bloodshed but the whole Mission was in great danger. He decided to send at once for assistance.
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