USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > Past and present of Winneshiek county, Iowa; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 10
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Several attempts were made before a railroad was finally built. The company to succeed was the McGregor Western. This company was organized January 19. 1863. The commencement of the road was at North McGregor. Work was commenced in March, 1863, and in one year the road was in running order to Monona, fourteen and one-half miles. The work was completed to Postville in September, 1864. to Castalia in October, 1864, and to Conover in August, 1865.
Decorah, at this date, had become a thriving inland city, well supported with newly started manufactories. Her citizens looked upon the road that was to pass them by with a covetous eye. Railroad connection, with river and lake transporta- tion, was necessary to the future prosperity of the place. This was readily com- prehended, and every effort was put forth by an energetic people to secure better transportation facilities. As a result, proposals were made to the managers of the MeGregor Western Railway to build a branch line from Conover to Decorah. nine miles. The citizens of Decorah pledged themselves to furnish $40,000. as a bonus, provided the company would build the nine miles of road, which the man- agers agreed to do. Nearly $18,000 was paid in by the people of Decorah, and, on the other hand, the road was graded and bridged, ready for the superstructure. But the main line having been leased to the Milwaukee & Prairie du Chien Com- pany, work on the branch was suspended in September, 1865.
The road is now operated under the management of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company, by which name it is known. The branch was com- pleted to Decorah in September. 1809, in accordance with the agreement made by the company with the citizens of Decorah. The event was one of great importance
SCENE AT RAILROAD YARDS, CALMAR
CALMAR MANLI DETU LAR CO. BAS
SASH AND DOOR PLANT, CALMAR
nARY
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to the capital city of the county. A day of celebration and rejoicing was given in honor of the event. Large crowds of people thronged to the city, and many availed themselves of the opportunity offered and made excursion trips to Con- over and back.
For a time after the completion of the railroad to Conover that town was one of the most prosperous, thriving little cities in this part of lowa. Great things were expected of it by the new residents and as a market place it outrivaled any of its neighbors. Its glory was short-lived, however. In 1866 the railroad was extended west and north into Howard county on its way to St. Paul, and Ridge- way came into existence. The same year that the branch was completed from Conover to Decorah ( 1869), the road was extended westward from Calmar, and Fort Atkinson thereby secured closer relations with the world.
During the succeeding ten years attempts were made to secure other railroads, but with negative results. In 1879 a narrow gauge road was built from a point below Lansing to Waukon. This line connected with the river road from Dubuque to LaCrosse which was operated under lease by the Chicago and Northwestern Railway. Seeing an opportunity to secure increased transportation facilities, on August 8, 1879, Decorah township voted a four per cent tax to aid in the extension of this line to Decorah. Frankville and Glenwood townships, through which the line would pass, refused to vote the tax, but the right of way was secured, grading was done, piers for bridges were erected, and the laying of rails had proceeded some distance beyond the confines of Waukon when orders were received to cease operations. The owners of the river road had offered to sell the property to the Chicago and Northwestern Company. They were slow in entering into the project and while a party of officials were out on a tour of inspection to determine its worth the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul officials bought the property. As they already had a standard gauge line running into Decorah it would complicate matters to extend the narrow gauge to this point. They could see no profit in a connection with the river road by this route, even if the line was made standard gauge, so they ordered the extension discontinued.
As the line was never built to Decorah the tax was never collected, and the right of way reverted to the original owners. A few years ago portions of this grade were secured by the county for highway purposes.
Another attempt to secure an outlet to the Mississippi river to connect with the Chicago and Northwestern near Lansing was made in 1881-82. At that time a five per cent tax was voted to the Upper Iowa and Mississippi Railway Company, but when it became evident that the attempt would be fruitless the company had the tax annulled.
In the meantime some of the influential men of Decorah got in touch with the officials of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern and the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific railway companies and opened negotiations for the exten- sion of the line of the former company from l'ostville to Decorah. The repre- sentatives of Decorah were promised the extension of the line on condition that a five per cent tax be voted to aid in the construction. Decorah voted the tax on April 4, 1882, but Military township voted against it. Litigation followed and through a technicality the tax was annulled. The road was built, however, com- mencing at a point three miles below Postville and running north through Bloom- field, Military and Springfield townships to Decorah, with Castalia and Ossian on
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the line. The town of Nordness was established in Springfield township. The line was completed into Decorah and the last spike driven on October 23. 1884. and on November 20th a celebration of the event was held. . \ special train bear- ing officials of both the Rock Island and Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern companies, and citizens of Cedar Rapids and the intermediate towns to the number of several hundred, arrived in Decorah at noon, and the visitors were enter- tained at a banquet held in Steyer's Opera House. It was a gala occasion in which the citizens of Decorah and surrounding territory proved themselves most cordial hosts. Some years ago the road was absorbed by the Rock Island Railway, and the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern company passed out of existence.
While the southern part of the county was busy with the various projects heretofore mentioned, the northern part of the county was not idle. A road known as the Minnesota, Iowa and Southwestern was projected from LaCrosse to Charles City and Western lowa in 1881. Hesper, Burr Oak, and Bluffton townships voted tax aid to its construction, but a technicality in the manner of ordering the vote in Bluffton township made it illegal. In a new election in 1882 the project was defeated as far as the territory above referred to was concerned. The road was never built.
In the latter eighties the Chicago, Burlington and Northern railway projected a line from New Albin, where they intended to bridge the Mississippi river, across the northern part of Iowa. Their engineers made surveys across Allamakee county and through Winneshiek to a point about four miles northwest of Decorah, when they were withdrawn. The reason for abandoning the enterprise was never made known, but that it had been definitely decided upon at one time was assured in the statement of an official to a friend who was then one of Decorah's prominent business men. He had made several visits here and during the last one he said "The next time I come to Decorah I will ride on our own train." It was subse- quent to this visit that the survey was made.
Another project on which considerable time and money was spent was the Decorah, Rochester and Red River Valley line. The late William 11. Valleau, then a prominent citizen and former mayor of Decorah, was its moving spirit and devoted several years in an endeavor to finance it, even going to London in hope of enlisting English capital, but without success.
The development of the interurban has given encouragement that still further transportation facilities may yet be our portion. A route for such a line was sur- veyed from Chatfield to Decorah, some years ago, but the one that holds out the most hope at the present time is the Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester & Dubuque line, otherwise known as the "Dan Patch" line. A preliminary survey was made five years ago. The line was built and has been in operation from Minneapolis 10 Northfield, Minnesota, during the past two years, and is now being extended to Faribault. It might have been completed ere this had the promoters been willing to issue bonds to finance it, but they are proceeding on the laudable plan of paying the cost of construction from sales or shares of stock and thus retain ownership for the shareholders.
The topography of Winneshick county is such that railroad construction is not easy. It may be attributed to that fact that the northeastern portion of the county is one of the few sections of the state that is noted for its distance from railroad lines.
CHAPTER VIII
"THE BOYS IN BLUE"
The military history of Winneshiek county is one of which a new country could well be proud. The record has been made by others at a time when its accuracy could be assured, hence we quote without hesitation from previously published historical works. Alexander's History says :
"Winneshiek county may well remember with pride the patriotism of hier devoted sons in the war for the Union. Immediately on the report of the attack of the rebels on Fort Sumter, men stood ready to respond to the call of the Government for troops, and within a week steps were taken, at a public meeting held at the courthouse, to organize and offer a military company to the Govern- ment. That the people as well as officials of the county were prompt to encourage those who should step forward for their country's service, and care for the families they left behind, is shown by the following resolutions which were passed at the time by the County Board of Supervisors, and which were fully carried out :
"'Resolved, That under the present aspect of national affairs it is the duty of every community to do its share toward the defense of our common country.
"'Resolved, That it is the duty of the county to drill and cause to be equipped at least one company of men ; that in order to do so an appropriation by the county, enabling every person to aid in his due proportion in the common defense, is most just and equitable ; that the men who risk their lives and spend their time should be provided with the means to be of service as soldiers, and that an appropriation made in pursuance hereof should have precedence of all other claims ; therefore,
".Resolved, That the county funds now in the hands of the treasurer of Winneshiek county, be and the same are hereby appropriated. not exceeding the sum of $2,000 for the purpose of equipping the military company known as the "Decorah Guard," and that the Clerk of the District Court be and he is hereby authorized to issue county warrants to Levi Bullis, D. H. Hughes and C. C. Tupper, who shall constitute a committee for the negotiation of said county warrants, and the purchase of said equipments, the said committee first giving bonds to said county, conditioned that the said appropriation be used for the purpose designed, faithfully and truly.
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"'Resolved, That the families of each member of the "Decorah Guard" receive the following weekly allowance during their term of service, viz: Three dollars per week for the wife, and one dollar per week for each child, to the extent of three.'
"Many of the actors in those stirring scenes are men from among us, while several who remained at home contributed these resolutions to Sparks' History, and to it we shall be indebted for most of the remainder of this chapter.
"On the 20th of April, 1861, just six days after the booming of cannon, heard at Sumter, had sounded the alarm of civil war, a meeting of the patriotic citi- zens of Winneshiek county, and Decorah in particular, was held in the court- house. It was held for the purpose of giving expression to the outraged feelings of a liberty-loving people at the atrocious stroke made against human freedom and American liberty, and to declare their adhesion to the okl flag that waved from the courthouse dome above them.
"The brave who died in the mountains of Arkansas, the marshes of Louisiana, the rocky fastnesses of Georgia, and the swamps of Carolina, are remembered less vividly by their old comrades as year by year passes away, and when this generation has gone there will be few to recall the names of the youthful heroes of Winneshiek county who faced fatigue and sickness, steel and ball, and died in the fierce front of battle, facing the foe, or fell victims to malarious diseases. But while their individual memories will have perished, the cause for which they died, the cause for which they perished, the cause of liberty and humanity will remain, and future generations will derive fresh courage to struggle for the right from the glorious example of the citizen-soldiers who crushed the 'Great Rebellion.
"It was Abraham Lincoln, our noble, martyred president, who said at Gettys- burg, 'The world will not long remember what we may say here, but they can never forget what we have done here.' And it is a fitting thing that the custom of observance of May 30, of last year. as Decoration Day, has been established ; a day when we can strew with flowers the graves of those who sleep in our cemeteries, and revive the memories of those who sleep in distant or unknown graves, holding the names of them all in grateful recollection, and rendering more precious the heritage they have transmitted to us and to our children.
"The meeting was called to order, and Capt. John H. Simpson made chairman. This distinction was paid the aged gentleman because of his efficiency in com- manding and his co-operation with the first militia company ever organized in Decorah.
"Capt. John 11. Simpson was born in Ganston, England, March 22. 1796, and died at Decorah, July 2, 1860. He had been a member of the Royal Life Guards ( Body Guard of the King ) and as one of the battalion, was on his way to the field when the battle of Waterloo was fought. In 1828 he came to America and settled in New York City. He came to Decorah in 1850, and here for thirteen years he lived an honest, blameless life. He was elected captain of the Decorah Guards on the formation of the company in 1859.
"There are men yet living in Winneshick county who remember the memor- able meeting over which he presided, and how his patriotism gave vent, in the greatest effort of his life, in a patriotic speech that sent the blood tingling through the veins of every listener. In his speech he tendered the remainder
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of his life for the defense of his country, though the snows of 65 winters rested on his brow. He was not accepted. Younger men, with stronger sinews and harder muscles, volunteered their services.
DECORAH GUARDS
"But one week intervened before there was a reorganization of the Decorah Guards, and men better fitted for the hardships of a soldier's life superseded the members of the original company. The Decorah Guards, as they originally were, underwent a complete transformation, only three of the old company being retained in the ranks of the new organization. The old officers resigned, and new ones were elected. This was the first company of men in Winneshiek county to enlist in defence of the stars and stripes. They were men in the full vigor of life, men of sterling worth, the very flower of our young county, as the following summary of the company indicates: The oldest men in the company (two of them) were aged 36, one 34, one 32, one 31, one 30, one 29, two 28, three 27, three 26, six 25, eight 24, seven 23, ten 22, nine 21, nine 20, eleven 19, ten 18, making a total of officers and men of 85, with an average of 22 years, 8 months and 22 days.
"The company was known as the Decorah Guards, until mustered into the service ; then they assumed the name of Company D, Third Regiment of lowa Volunteers. The officers of the new company were :
"Captain-G. R. Willett.
"First Lieutenant-Emilius I. Weiser.
"Second Lieutenant-Ole A. Anderson.
"Orderly Sergeant-Geo. Mckay.
"Second Sergeant-A. H. McMurtrie.
"Third Sergeant-C. W. Burdick.
"Fourth Sergeant-Robert Ray. "First Corporal-E. M. Farnsworth.
"Second Corporal-Milton Ross.
"Third Corporal-Charles P. Brown.
"Fourth Corporal-Joseph S. Neff.
"This company was enrolled in Winneshiek county, and ordered into quarters by the governor of the state, May 21, 1861. The company left Decorah for Keokuk, their rendezvous, May 28, 1861, and was mustered into the United States service June 10, 1861. The date of the company's departure from Decorah for the scenes of war will remain a memorable one in the recollection of the hundreds of citizens who met on Court House Square to bid the boys a last farewell. The ladies had prepared a beautiful flag, which was presented to the company by Miss Carrie McNair, whom I feel compelled to more than casually mention ; and in order to do so I shall be obliged to digress from the main subject.
"Carrie McNair was born in Livingston county, N. Y., about the year 1832. She came to Decorah in the year 1860, at that period in our national existence when the very atmosphere was deadened with treasonable imprecations against the Union, and when the cloud of rebellion had so spread its mammoth propor- tions as to nearly obscure the bright sunlight of freedom. Being a woman of strong emotional nature, a lover of liberty and union, she early identified her-
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self with the Union side of the controversy that then threatened a separation of states : consequently, out of respect and appreciation of her noble nature, and her sympathy with the Union, she was chosen, of all other women, better fitted to make the presentation. In 1862, following the many bloody battles, and not infrequent disastrous engagements, Miss MeNair felt that there was need of her services in the crowded hospitals. With a heartfelt desire to render the Union any services in her power, and an anxiety and willingness to alleviate the suffer- ings of brave men who had fallen wounded in their country's cause, she became a nurse in a soldiers' hospital at St. Louis. She served in this capacity until the end of the war, and furnished aid and comfort to thousands of poor un- fortunates.
"Following the presentation of the flag, there was a presentation of Bibles and Testaments. The scene was such as never had occurred before, and was solemn, impressive and trying.
"The company, in vehicles, pursued their course to McGregor, and from thence to Keokuk, and from here, soon after, they were transported to scenes of active service, in Missouri.
"The first hard fought battle that the company engaged in was at Blue Mills. September 7, 1861, although previous to this they had been engaged in many hotly contested skirmishes. In the battle of Blue Mills the Unionists were driven back.
"Wm. B. Miller, of Company D, was killed in this engagement and Captain Willett, Second Lieut. Ole Anderson, and Priv. Wm. B. Heckert, were seriously wounded. Captain Willett's wound occasioned his resignation, and the promo- tion of Lieut. E. I. Weiser to the captaincy of the company.
"Lieutenant Anderson fell, wounded in the temple, and was left on the field for dead. Company D having been obliged to retreat, he fell into the enemy's hands. His body was stripped of all clothing but the pants, and he was robbed of everything by the rebels. The next day after the battle the rebels were obliged to retreat, and then Company D reclaimed his body. Lieutenant Anderson lay unconscious three weeks, and it was a question for a long time afterwards whether he would survive or not. He entered the army a perfect athlete, and a perfect man, physically and mentally, and today, from the effect of that wound, incurred at the cost of duty and bravery, he is a mere wreck of his former self. As an officer he was efficient and brave to a fault.
"The battle of Shiloh, fought on the 6th and 7th of April, 1862, was the next great conflict in which Company D) participated. Under the hottest fire and amid the most trying scenes, Company D behaved itself with coolness and bravery. After passing through that fiery ordeal. a summary of the loss it sus- tained showed the following: Killed-Edward Knapp, Hans 11. Stenson, and Samuel D. Smith. Wounded-Capt. E. I. Weiser, Corp. J. 11. Farber, Geo. 11. Culver, Jas. S. Daskam, Hans Gulbrandson, Thos. Heath, Peter B. Hulverson, Knudt Knudson, Matthew Kellogg, Gilbert Knudson, Henry H. Sheldso, Geo. Il. Kelley, John Jas. Fisher, Hliram S. Daskam.
"The battle of Hatchie, fought on the 5th of October, was the scene of the next hotly contested engagement in which Company D took an active part.
"The company lost the following: Wounded-Capt. E. I. Weiser, Corp. C. C. Watson, Geo. Culver, Martin E. Oleson ( mortally ), and Martin Pepper.
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"In the battle of Hatchie the second Captain of Company D was made in- capable for active service by a rebel bullet.
"Captain E. I. Weiser was born in York, Pa., April 10, 1835, and emigrated from the place of his nativity to Decorah in 1856. Being possessed with a warm heart and a genial nature, and a patriotic love of country, the threats of war against the Union aroused his impulsive nature to a desire to make any sacrifice -hardship, suffering. even life itself-in his country's cause. As a result, when the first cry of a distressed country was heard, calling on her sons for protection against the assaults of traitors, Capt. E. I. Weiser was the first and foremost of her patriots in Winneshiek County to respond. Capt. E. I. Weiser was the first man to enlist from Winneshiek County in his country's service in the late Civil war. He enlisted as a high private in Company D, and was elected first Lieutenant at the first election held by the company.
"Capt. E. I. Weiser participated in many warm skirmishes and two hard- fought battles. He was wounded at Shiloh; also at Hatchie. on the 5th of October. 1862. The wound he received at Hatchie disabled him for further active military service during the war. Eight months he was detained in the hospital by his wound, and seven of these eight months he was compelled to lie in one position-on his back. He was with his company one week while it was at Memphis. While here the boys of Company D presented him with a silver pitcher, as a mark of their regard and the appreciation they had for him as a soldier and commander. Capt. Weiser was brave, cool, efficient, and possessed all the noble attributes requisite in a successful commander. His physical dis- ability is a glorious certificate of his bravery.
"Company D next went to Memphis where it remained six months, and from thence to Vicksburg. They were engaged in the siege of Vicksburg up to the date of its surrender. Vicksburg surrendered July 4. 1863. The white flag was raised on every fort at 9 A. M. on the 3d. The rebels sent out a flag of truce. and wished to surrender on conditions. Gen. Grant sent back word that noth- ing but an unconditional surrender would be accepted. On the 3d, when the white flags were hoisted, all firing ceased. The rebels came outside of their works and held a sociable with our boys. On the 4th of July, at to A. M., the rebels marched outside of their works, were drawn up in a line, and stacked their arms, and promptly at 11 A. M. the stars and stripes proudly floated over the rebel works.
"In this siege, on the 26th of June, Thomas Kelly, of Company D, was mortally wounded. He lived about a week, having won, in dying, the honor of being the bravest among the brave.
"The Third regiment received orders on the 5th to take up their line of march for Black River, to look after Johnston, who, with a large force had been prowl- ing in the rear. On the 12th of July, 1863, about 225 men of the Third Iowa, among which number were many of Company D, made an assault on rebel works, behind which were ensconced about 10,000 of Johnston's men. The result of the assault was a whirlwind of death. In the first volley fired by the enemy 125 out of the original 225 were almost instantly mowed down. There were about 800 men engaged, but 225 who ventured right into the jaws of this fiery hell. The commander in charge was immediately relieved of command.
"On the 7th of July Johnston evacuated Jackson, the scene of the last engage-
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ment, and here, in rebel hospitals, were found the wounded who had survived the disastrous charge of the 12th inst. Among the number was Lieutenant MeMurtrie, who had both legs broken by rebel shots. His right leg had been wounded with a piece of shell. and was so badly shattered that amputation was necessary. The left leg had been broken by a minie ball.
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