USA > Iowa > Report of the organization and first reunion of the Tri-State Old Settlers' Association of Illinois, Missouri and Iowa, 1884 > Part 22
USA > Illinois > Report of the organization and first reunion of the Tri-State Old Settlers' Association of Illinois, Missouri and Iowa, 1884 > Part 22
USA > Missouri > Report of the organization and first reunion of the Tri-State Old Settlers' Association of Illinois, Missouri and Iowa, 1884 > Part 22
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29
Those days were exciting ones indeed, and such occurrences remain in memory as long as life lasts. Mr. Perry's danger was not so great, but he was taken off his horse, put in a farm- er's wagon, and taken to the end of Concert street, about where now Sixteenth street, I suppose, crosses it, there to be ridden on a rail, and they forced him then and there to sign a deed for the land in dispute on a compromise basis, which was excented in the little grocery at the time standing on the line of the plank road nearly opposite the gas works. I also witnessed several incursions of the old settlers into town when they failed to meet the men they were after, and then the frolie would ,usually wind up with a speech from old Dr. Galland. At
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many of his speeches I was an attentive listener. Thinking over these matters at this late day, many other prominent gentlemen come to my mind, to all of whom your city is indebted for its present excellent condition, and the rapid strides to prominence it was then making.
I well remember the excitement in those days attending political' meetings, how every citizen considered himself a committee of one to advocate the principles of his party ; but generally every canvas ended without trouble and in the best of Immor, though sometimes the meetings were full of per- sonalities, and apt to cause hard feeling. I remember some ludicrous circumstances, or rather occurrences, such as the troubles between attorneys and judges of court. And thinking further on, at the time that the campaign ending in the election of James Buchanan . was progressing, the meetings that used to be held in Fourth Street at the Market House, and whereat our old friend Charlie Moss on one occason was the speaker. After the war I met him once, and he was astonished to see me. I reminded him of the burden of his speech on that occason, but he said, " Ilush, all that is passed and let us forget it ; " but his speech in the campaign and his actions then, were so diam- etrically opposed to each other, that I could not help having a good laugh over it with him. The old saying is, " Politics make strange bed fellows," but how much more is this true in war : what a change in the country, in the peoples tastes, actions and everything. This is especially true of this section of country, Southeast Missouri, for it the war has proven a real God-send, as it has brought a class of industrious people here, many of whom are blessed with means to help develop the immensely valuable mineral resources of the country. I am writing this in the lovely Arcadia Valley, in the center of which the City of Ironton is situated, its western boundary is the Sheppard Mountain, which contains several deposits of very rich magnetic ore. Many carloads of this ore were, during the war, shipped to the large cities to be made available at sanitary fairs for the benefit of the army and the brave soldier boys in the field. 'The northern boundary line of Ironton lies at the foot of the world-renowned Pilot Knob, containing, according to geologists who have made a thorough examination of its
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mineral deposits, iron ore enough to supply the world with iron for two hundred years to come. Over six hundred men are working in the mines on that mountain day and night, without intermission, except from 12 A. M. Saturday night, till the same time Sunday night. Five tunnels are run into the very bowels of this mountain, and several shafts are sunk, all of which are made available for the bringing of the ore to the surface, to be loaded on cars on the railroad track at the foot of the mountain.
For the last 4 years immense progress has been made in the development of this deposit of Iron Ore, under the able management of Mr. James C. Simpson, General Manager of the Pilot Knob Department of the St. Louis Ore and Steel Co., and too much praise cannot be given him for his persistent efforts, in the face of the most discouraging circumstanaes, to demonstrate the real value of this immense Iron Mountain. Seven miles further north is the American Iron mountain, which is also a most remarkable deposit of very fine iron ore. Between the two Iron Deposits and a little to the West, we have the cele- brated Granite Quarry, the Granite wherefrom is so extensively used by the Government in the construction of public works; this is also a real natural wonder, immense boulders lying on top of other ledges, and, at a distance, looking as if they were about to roll down the mountain, as they are resting on a surface of not more than 5 inches in diameter in some cases; other bould- ers again are of hugh dimensions, and inspire one with awe at the wonders of creation; one especially, a very large one, from a distance has the appearance of an elephant in front; the head and ears, the snout, the curvature over the back, the hips, it looks as though it were an elephant indeed, and is one of the most imposing natural objects. Besides these we have, about twenty miles to the east, the celebrated "Mine La Motte," where the purest of lead ore is taken out of the ground, besides also other minerals of same character, such as Cobalt and Nickel. Besides the foregoing there are many other mineral deposits which makes this part of the country one of the richest on the Globe. The valleys between the highlands are a gravelly rich black soil, producing largely, and for all the produce a market , for cash in hand, at our very doors. All we want is more peo- ple to develop the country, let them come.
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Well, I presume you are about tired out, and I shall close this alreay too long letter, with my best wishes for your contin - ued welfare and happiness and that of all old settlers.
Truly Yours, B. ZWART.
A. C. HUTCHINSON, BURLINGTON, IOWA. BURLINGTON, IOWA, Oct. 12th, 1886.
HIon. C. F. Davis, Keokuk:
Your kind invitation to be present at the Third Annual Reunion of the Tri-State Old Settlers' Association, was duly received, and I have delayed reply, in the hope that I might give myself the pleasure of being with you and participating in the pleasures of the occasion, but I find myself unable to do so. Thirty years ago Keokuk was my home, and it would give me much pleasure to take advantage of this reunion to renew old friendships made in early manhood, but cemented and made strong in my two year's residence in your beautiful city.
I regret exceedingly that business engagements are such that it is impossible for me to be with you. I hope the day may be full of enjoyment for all.
Sincerely Yours, A. C. HUTCHINSON.
GEN. T. I. McKENNY, OLYMPIA, W. T.
OLYMPIA, WASHINGTOM TY., Oct. 9th, 1886.
C. F. Davis, Chairman Invitation Com .:
MY DEAR OLD FRIEND :- Your kind invitation to attend the Tri State Old Settlers' Association has been received. Please accept my sincere thanks for the same. I regret much that it will be impossible for me to attend. I do assure you that noth- ing would give me more pleasure than to meet my old and tried friends in Keokuk, the city where I spent the early part of my life and where I formed friendships and attachments never to be forgotten. My thoughts often very often revert to my old and tried friends, many of them now no more. I could till a much larger page than this with the names of as true men as ever drew the breath of life, some now living and others dead
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that I claim as my friends, and while speaking of Keokuk's noble men do not think that I have forgotten the noble and true women of the good old city.
With many wishes for the success of your association,
I remain your friend, T. I. McKENNY.
TION. PETER A. DET, IOWA.CITY, IOWA.
IOWA CITY, IOWA, Oct. 11th, 1886.
IIon. C. F. Davis, Chairman, Keokuk:
DEAR SIR :- I was called east last week rather unexpectedly and on my return find calls upon my time that will prevent my accepting your invitation to the meeting of the Tri-State Old Settlers' Association for to-morrow.
I regret this very much, as I would have been glad to join you in greeting the old settlers that are here and doing homage to the virtues of those that are gone.
Very Respectfully, PETER A. DEY.
CAPT. WM. ILILLHOUSE, BURLINGTON, IOWA.
BURLINGTON, IOWA, Oct. 11th, 1856.
C. F. Davis:
MY DEAR SIR :- I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your invitation to attend the Third Reunion of Old Settlers' to be held at Rand Park, in Keokuk, Wednesday, Oct. 13th, 1886.
I very much regret that engagement on the registry board in our city this week will deprive me of the pleasure of meeting you on that interesting occasion. Many who were old settlers when I settled in Iowa forty years ago, have passed away.
As I was in attendance at the treaty of the Sac and Fox Indians for that portion of Iowa west of the Black Hawk pur- chases, was well acquainted with all of the Indians. I was engaged in the trading post and sold them goods daily for three years. Conversed with them in their dialect well at that time; familiar with their notions and ways; cat many a meal with the -
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Black Hawk family and chased the elk and buffalo all over the broad prairies of the State of Iowa in company of old Chief Keokuk and his band of Indians. I am the only white man left out of seven that was in that hunting expedition the summer of 1842.
Very Truly Yours,
WM. HILLHOUSE.
JOHN CARROLL WALSH.
THE MOUND, Hartford Co., Md., Near Jerusalem Mills P. O., Oct. 9, 1886. 5
C. F. Davis, Esq., Chairman, Keokuk, Iowa:
MY DEAR SIR :- The invitation kindly sent me to attend the meeting of the Tri-State Old Settler's Association, to be held at Keokuk on Wednesday, 13th inst., has been received, and nothing would give me more pleasure than to be able to attend.
To me it would be extremely gratifying to take part in the exercises of the day, although there are but very, very few, of those who were cotemporaneous with myself in the first settle- ment of what is now your great and noble State of Iowa, who are now living. I can just now recollect of none but my vener- able friend Alexander Cruickshank, of West Point, and of my gallant friend and son of old Maryland, Gen. J. C. Parrott, of Keokuk.
That the meeting of the Association may in every particular be a most successful and enjoyable reunion, is the sincere wish of one who still feels the deepest interest in the prosperity of Iowa, and who is proud to be enrolled as one of her earliest pioneers. With great respect,
Very Truly Yours, JOHN CARROLL WALSH.
' COL. D. B. HENDERSON, DUBUQUE, IOWA. DUBUQUE, Iowa, Oct. 4th, 1856.
HIon. Ed. Johnstone, Keokuk, Iowa :
MY DEAR JUDGE :- I am indebted to the Old Settlers' Association for an invitation to attend the third annual reunion, Oct. 13th.
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I find my time engaged for the date indicated, so that I cannot attend. I am gratified to be thus appreciated, and would enjoy very much being present, having come to this State in '49. I know that I would appreciate the gathering of the pioneers of the west.
Very truly yours, D. B. HENDERSON.
REV. J. J. WOOLLEY, PAUTUCKET, R. I.
MY DEAR GENERAL :--- Please accept my sincere thanks for the kind invitation to the third annual reunion of the Old Settlers' Association. The face of the "old settler" on the card would be a sufficient inducement of itself to draw me to the meeting on the 13th of October, if Providence did not inter- fere to keep me away.
The benevolent face, beautiful necklace and soft silken hair of the old Chief Keokuk are wonderfully attractive. He must have been a desirable acquaintance in his day, and no doubt a great many persons were compelled to enjoy his loving society and tender embraces.
Not having had the pleasure of a personal acquaintance however, I cannot speak as feelingly of him as no doubt I would had I known him better.
Sincerely yours,
GEN. W. W. BELKNAP, J. J. WOOLLEY.
Invitation Com.
L. PARKHURST, DAVENPORT, IOWA.
C. F. Davis, Chairman Invitation Com.,
Tri-State Old Settlers' Association.
DEAR SIR :- Your kind invitation to attend the meeting of . this Association to be held at Keokuk on the 13th instant, was duly received :
Really it would be a great satisfaction to meet the carly pioneers of the Black Hawk purchase, now so few and scat- tering.
Just fifty years ago, 4 r. M. to-day, it was my fortune to land on the west bank of the " Father of Waters," and from the
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first impressive look on the top of the bluffs overlapping its placid stream, I have often wondered-and it has occurred to me many times since-that the possibilities pertaining to this valley were beyond the power of man to reach. Fifty years back to me now secin but a short time; but still, that time encompasses a progress in all that pertains to civilization away beyond the record of any former stride in human progress. There is not the least doubt but that in time this valley will be the richest and wealthiest part of the globe. I also look to see St. Louis and Chicago connected by deep water navigation, the competitors of New York in all that combines to make them the great central marts of the North American Continent.
Nature has done its part bountifully, and the bent of man's progress is in the pathway it leads.
As much as I would like to meet and canvass over the strides of the past half century, I find myself so situated that it will be impossible to attend the coming most joyful occasion not without hope, however, that at some future time I may fully enjoy the festivities of a similar greeting.
Thankful for your kind invitation and remembrance,
I remain yours truly, L. PARKHURST.
W. I. BABB, MT. PLEASANT, IOWA.
MT. PLEASANT, IOWA, Oet. 5, 1886.
HIon. C. F. Davis, Keokuk, Iowa:
MY DEAR SIR :- Accept thanks for kind remembrance in shape of invitation to attend the Tri-State Old Settlers' Association.
Our District Court is in session and cannot now say with absolute certainty as to whether I shall be able to be present or not. I will if I can. In any event I trust you may have a meeting worthy of the occasion.
The reunion of the early pioneers of the three great States of the Mississippi Valley will tend to bring them in closer union in spirit and interest, and must conduce to the general welfare of each. What a glorious sisterhood, with enough terri-
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tory and variety of soil, products and climate to make of them- selves a mighty nation in the near future. As a native of Iowa of course I regard her as the finest, but am not insensible to the charms of her two elder sisters. But all in all give me the youngest.
With best wishes and hopes that I may be with you,
I am Truly Yours, W. I. BABB.
HON. THOS. T. CRITTENDEN, KANSAS CITY, MO.
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Oct. 4, 1886.
Hon. C. F. Davis, Chairman :
SIR :- Business will deprive me of the pleasure of being with the old settlers', at Keokuk, on the 13th inst. I trust the meeting will be pleasant and beneficial. The heroes of the olden times, perpetuating in happy recollections, the stories of lives once full of the most stirring events, now rapidly passing on "to the bourne from which no traveler returns." These men are as great heroes as any who ever fought the battles of this country, and should command the profoundest respect from all classes.
Very Truly Yours, TIIOS. T. CRITTENDEN.
GEO. C. PRATT, CITY OF JEFFERSON, MO.
CITY OF JEFFERSON, Mo. Oct. 4th, 1886.
C. F. Davis, Chairman Invitation Com.,
Tri-State Old Settlers' Association :
MY DEAR SIR :- It is with extreme regret that I am com- pelled to deny myself the pleasure of meeting with you all on the 13th inst., as per notice of September 20th. Hoping that the next annual meeting may find me with the leisure to enjoy for a few days the company of my neighbors of Illinois and Iowa, I remain,
Very Respectfully,
Your Oh't Serv't, GEORGE COOLEY PRATT.
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P. A. ARMSTRONG, MORRIS, ILL.
MORRIS, ILL., Oct. 11, 1886.
Hon. C. F. Davis, Keokuk, Iowa:
Painfully disappointed in not being able to meet with you and the old settlers at Rand Park on the 13th inst., on account of a hard cold coupled with a putrid sore throat, I send you God speed united with the wish, hope and prayer that your meeting will prove a great success and result in the inaugura- tion and completion of a plan for the erection of a suitable monument to the memory of Keokuk, the Cicero of his race, to whose wonderful cloquence are the white pioneers of north- ern Illinois indebted for their lives, by his defeating Black Hawk in the formation of his fond scheme of a great Indian Confederacy, April 1, 1832.
Yours courteously, P. A. ARMSTRONG.
HON. C. C. CARPENTER, FORT DODGE, IOWA.
FORT DODGE, IOWA, Oct. 3, 1886.
C. F. Davis, Esq., and others, Com. of Invitation,
Keokuk, Iowa:
GENTLEMEN :- I have your invitation to be present at the third annual reunion of the Tri-State Old Settlers' Association at Keokuk, Iowa, on the 13th inst. I regret that I shall not be able to come, as it would greatly gratify me to see and shake hands with the venerable men who will come from the States of Illinois, Missouri and Iowa to participate in the pleasures and ceremonies of the occasion. Please convey my regrets to the old settlers who respond in person to your invitation.
Yours very truly, C. C. CARPENTER.
JUDGE II. B. HENDERSHOTT, OTTUMWA, IOWA.
OrruMwa, Iowa, Sept. 27, 1586.
Hon. C. F. Davis, Chairman, &c.,
Keokuk, Iowa:
DEAR SIR :- I am just honored by the receipt of an invi- tation from your committee to be present and participate in
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the pleasures of the third annual reunion of the Tri-State Old Settlers' Association, at Keokuk, on the 13th of October, 1886. I shall, if it is possible, be present on that occasion. Having settled in Burlington, Iowa, (then Wisconsin), Oct. 11, 1836, I suppose I may be classed as an old settler of Iowa.
Yours truly, -
II. B. HENDERSHOTT. .
HON. H. P. WELSH, OTTAWA, KANSAS.
OTTAWA, KANSAS, Sept. 30, 1886.
C. F. Davis, Ch'n Tri-State Old Settlers' Association:
DEAR SIR :- Your invitation of September 20th, to attend the third annual reunion of the Tri-State Old Settlers' Associ- ation of Illinois, Missouri and Iowa, received. I am very sorry that it is impossible for me to attend, owing to the fact that onr District Court will be in session at that time. I tried to make my arrangements last year to attend, but when the time came I was prevented. Nothing would give me more pleasure than to be with you on October 13th, although I suppose it would be impossible for me to find any of the old landmarks of 1846 and 1847.
I lived in your city (then a town) when a boy twelve and thirteen years of age. It was then a little village stuck in the hills, with only, you might say, one prominent store, that of Chittenden & McGavic, with an old rickety wharf where steam- boats landed; one flouring mill under the bluff, owned by Capt. Hughes; two hotels, one called the Rapids House and the other the Mansion House, the latter of which my father had the honor of being proprietor. Near by our hotel stood the saw mill. Only one road or street was passable from the river bank. The monotony of life was broken in the summer only by the arrival of steamers from St. Louis, for Keokuk then was the head waters of navigation; but out of all this has grown the great city with its railroads, its manufactories, schools and colleges, medical institution, and has kept progress with the building up of the great State in which it is situated.
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Hoping that you will have a pleasant and profitable time, and that at some future reunion of your Association I will be able to accept an invitation and be present,
Yours, with the greatest respect,
II. P. WELSII.
GEO. W. JONES, DES MOINES, IOWA. DES MOINES, IOWA, Sept. 30th, 1886.
C. F. Davis, Chairman, Keokuk, Iowa:
DEAR SIR :- Your invitation to the Tri-State Old Settlers' Association (Meeting) Reunion, Oct. 13th, 1886, is received, and you have my thanks for the remembrance, but greatly regret my inability to be present, as I thought I surely would be this year, but I have an engagement to be in Dakota at that time, preventing my enjoyment of this reunion. And now as I write this my brother John W. Jones, is by my side, and we recall the fact that on October 23rd, 1886, we have spent fifty-two years in Iowa. ยท Yours Truly,
GEO. W. JONES.
REV. L. B. DENNIS, KNOXVILLE, ILL. KNOXVILLE, ILL., Sept. 29th, 1886.
C. F. Davis, Esq., Keokuk, Iowa:
DEAR SIR AND FRIEND :- Your very kind, good, strong and pressing invitation to attend the Tri-State Old Settlers' Associ- ation, in Rand Park, Keokuk, Iowa, Oet. 13th, 1886, is just at hand. To say I am complimented does not express my feelings. I feel myself greatly honored. No ordinary matter would pre- vent me from attending. It comes so near our Annual Con- ference that at present I see no chance for wife and myself to be with you at that time.
I can give you no idea as to our anxiety to again enjoy that privilege of being with our old friends. Hoping you will have one of the most pleasant associations you have yet enjoyed, and one of the greatest in interest and most profitable to all concerned, and wishing you all good,
I am Your Older Brother, L. B .. DENNIS.
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GAY DAVIDSON, CARTHAGE, ILL.
CARTHAGE, ILL., Sept. 3, 1886.
Hon. C. F. Davis,
Keokuk:
I have the honor to acknowledge from your hands an in- vitation to greet the old settlers of Iowa, Missouri and Illinois in reunion at your beautiful Rand Park, October 13th ensuing. I was rejoiced at receiving the invitation, for two reasons: First-That among those invited so kindly by the committee, I am again included. I assure you, sir, that it is no small honor. And allow me to add that it shall be my hope and pleasure to be present on that occasion, should circumstances permit.
Second-The receipt of your invitation assures me of the fact that the Tri-State Old Settlers' Association still lives. In regard to. this fact I was in slight doubt for a while. It will be remembered, possibly, by a few, that I contributed a poetic effusion to the honored members of the Association last year. I knew it was wrong to do it; but my friend Samuel Clark aided-and abetted me in it by forfeiting several inches of val- uable space in his GATE CITY for its publication. This poem, I had feared, wrought disaster to the Association, and killed its members. Happily, no great harm resulted, and the Tri-State still lives.
I am a young man. I cannot remember when, as a small boy, I did not think Keokuk was the biggest kind of a city. Some people may doubt this statement, as it has been charged that when boys from a prohibition town in Illinois visit Kco- kuk, the city soon gets too small to hold them. I never failed to hold all I got in Keokuk. Fact!
But I digress. If I should be present at the reunion, it will be simply as a representative of the new generation. I well be compelled to forego the pleasure of swapping lies with the " first settler " or the " first white child." On this occasion, I say, it will be for me only to listen with awe and reverence to yarns of the white-haired patriarchs. This will be a pleasure. Yes, let me add, the old settlers deserve honor. Certainly here they builded wisely and faithfully for us of these later days. They brouglit civilization to the west. It was a tough job.
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But now, as civilization, with its myriad improvements and in- novations, has rushed past these old pioneers just as does the fast mail roar past the slow-moving emigrant wagon, we, who have learned to live faster day by day, shall be glad and hon- ored to drop back in the rapid journey of life for a few hours and join the slow-moving company of old settlers. We must not say that they are no more of use to the rising generation .. As an example of honesty, of perseverence, of frugality and success in life to us they are endeared.
And they are going away from us. We cannot keep their pleasant aged faces before us always. Now and then, like the autumn leaf, they gently fall to slumber. Not with the sound of muffled music nor in stately pomp do we carry them to the tomb. It is not meet. Simple was their lives, and the great victory of their life's work needs no vain emolument.
Honor to the old settlers of the three States. We will meet them again-one year further on the journey home. We will bid them cheer and welcome. Let us make their pathway easy, for they labored that we might live.
GAY DAVIDSON.
TION. JOIIN HOGAN, ST. LOUIS, MO. Sr. LOUIS, Mo., Oct. 11th, 1SS6.
IIon. Edward Johnstone, President, Keokuk, Iowa:
DEAR SIR :- Up until ten days ago I flattered myself that I should be able te respond to your kind invitation of Sept. 20th, and meet the Tri-State Old Settlers' at Keokuk on the 13th inst. Ten days ago I took a severe cold from which I have been suffering ever since, chiefly with a species of Lumbago, which has almost precluded me from handling myself at all. This has gotten somewhat better, and I still flattered myself that I would be able to make the trip, but last night I was sud- denly attacked with a violent pain in my breast and to-day feel hardly able to get about. I fear therefore to undertake the journey and the excitement consequent thereto upon my con- templated visit.
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