USA > Iowa > Report of the organization and first reunion of the Tri-State Old Settlers' Association of Illinois, Missouri and Iowa, 1884 > Part 6
USA > Illinois > Report of the organization and first reunion of the Tri-State Old Settlers' Association of Illinois, Missouri and Iowa, 1884 > Part 6
USA > Missouri > Report of the organization and first reunion of the Tri-State Old Settlers' Association of Illinois, Missouri and Iowa, 1884 > Part 6
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Moines, delivering supplies from St. Louis by steamboat. This trip posted me in navigation of the Des Moines. But very soon thereafter the Legislature granted mill privileges that unintentionally obstructed navigation of the river. The valley, therefore, was deprived of this great waterway for several years. In the spring of 1851 the productions of the valley had become so great that I was influenced to visit St. Louis and charter a steamboat specially for the Des Moines river. This I did upon my own responsibility and risk. Reaching Keokuk, en route for Eddy- ville and Des Moines, my valiant Captain Allen with his "Jenny Lind" steamer became discouraged, and I was near failing in the great object I had so earnestly sought, of re-opening navigation between St. Louis and Des Moines. But by the kindly aid of Captain Hine, my old captain resumed his voyage, and we soon arrived at Farmington, where the most serious obstruction existed. Finding it impracticable to jump the mil] dam, we very soon improvised a way of opening the lock with the aid of our steamer by pulling out the gates and making a channel for our boats to pass. This we successfully did in a few hours and put our boats on fair sailing. This timely and opportune trip effectually opened up nav- igation and commerce throughout the valley and was never again obstructed.
The next decade brought us the Valley railroad, which wholly sus- pended the old-time flat boats and steamers. The most beautiful river in all the great west is now spanned with iron bridges, utilized and beautified, instead of navigated as of yore.
And now, if your patience will allow it, I will summarize a few of the leading public enterprizes of the old County of Van Buren. As early as 1842 we built the first brick court house in the State, and it compares favorably with modern houses at the present day, and is good for half a century to come. Van Buren county men built the first houses for the military post at Des Moines. Van Buren county furnished the men to navigate the river and open up commerce in the valley. Van Buren has furnished quite a number of prominent men to fill honorable positions in the State and Nation. Van Buren was not behind in sending soldiers and recruits to put down the rebellion. Eighteen hundred or more valiant soldiers evidenced their faith in the union cause and stayed till victory perched upon their banners. Twombly, of Keosauqua, planted the victorious flag on the walls of Fort Donnellson. Van Buren furnished the men that responded to the nation's call for aid, aggregating $200,000, during the rebellion, and since has expended $200,000 niore in public improvements. Van Buren was first in the market with fat hogs and young cattle and horses. Van Buren has excelled her sister counties in agricultural fairs, as well, it may be said. The Bonaparte mills (Meek Bros.) stand unrivalled in the great west; their woolen goods have gained an enviable reputation throughout the entire west.
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With this brief sketch you will excuse me on the old settler side. A. word for the young settlers will be in order. The festivities of the day are all to the credit of the young settlers. I have enjoyed the grand dis- play of their genuine hospitality and the many good things they have said in behalf of the present and the past in old settler times.
I am. now reminded of the fact that we who are celebrating these events are not alone entitled to the honors for these laudable acts. Others whose names would fill a page in patriotic history, who have passed over the other side, reposing in their last sleep, should be remembered as. worthy of equal credit for all these noble efforts.
It has been truly said here to-day that the Gate City is truly great in everything she undertakes, a compliment eminently worthy the young settlers on this festive occasion. With these remarks I beg leave to close.
IMPROMPTU SPEECH OF COL. G. A. HAWLEY.
MR. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN : I am not on the pro- gramme for a speech to-day, and don't intend to make one. I will, however, make a few remarks in regard to a few incidents concerning myself in connection with the early history of Keokuk, and surrounding counties in Missouri, Iowa and Illinois. My first visit to Keokuk was in 1841, when but a youth, my father having just previously moved to the territory and settled at West Point, in this county. In 1844 I came to Keokuk and taught school in a log school house which stood on or near the bluff between here and Main street, not far, I think, from where S. T. Marshall's residence now stands. There were no other buildings in the vicinity of the school house. It was surrounded with hazel brush and small trees. Eliza Hood, who is said to have been the first white child born in Keokuk, was one of my pupils. Also, Margaret Stillwell, who afterwards became Mrs. Dr. Ford of this city, and J. F. and D. C. Daugherty, and several others who yet reside here. I taught two or three terms, but only one I believe in the old log house.
I remember a paper we had published here the first winter I taught. We had an editor, and contributors, but no printers. We were too prim- itive for printers. The editorials and contributions were written and read at stated meetings once a week. In looking over some old papers a short time ago to get some items of the early times in Keokuk, which I had promised to write up for Judge Davis, I found one of my old com- munications to the "Keokuk Gazette." But a few days since I received an exceedingly handsome copy of the Keokuk Constitution, in which was a history of the newspaper enterprises and progress in this city. I could but think of the difference between then and now: the Keokuk Gazette of that day, and the Keokuk Constitution of the present, and the four or five beautifully executed papers in the city to-day, three of them dailies.
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Little did I at that time imagine I would at this day point to so many well edited and handsomely printed papers in Keokuk.
A portion of the time I boarded with Rev. Jones, a Presbyterian clergyman sent here and supported by the Home Missionary Society.
I remember that one morning about daylight an old gentleman of considerable notoriety, by the name of McKane, and who I believe was a member of the Presbyterian church, came to Mr. Jones' and called us up and told us the Smiths had been killed at Carthage during the night. And I can say like Mayor Adams, that I was at Burlington when the Hodges were hung, though it could not be proven by me whether they were ever hung, for as soon as they were placed upon the scaffold and the black caps drawn over their heads, I turned my head in another direc- tion and left the ground.
Many incidents of early times I would like to relate, did time and your patience permit. But I told you I would not inflict a speech upon you at this hour. . The American people are noted for speech making, and perhaps I inherit some of the peculiarity, but upon occasions like this I believe in more sociability and less talking. Though, we have had a pleasant time to-day, and I would not cast any reflections upon the gentlemen from Missouri and Illinois for their somewhat lengthy but able speeches. This being the first Tri-State Old Settlers' meeting, it was fitting for those gentlemen to set forth at some length the resources and growth of the States they represented.
A few words more in regard to myself and I shall have finished. I commenced the study of law in Keokuk in 1846 with John M. Young, who was afterward elected prosecuting attorney for this county. I left here and went to Fort Madison, where the Hon. Daniel F. Miller then lived, and studied under him till the winter of 1848, when I was admitted to the bar at a term of court held in the old (then new) Methodist church on Exchange street, this city ; Geo. H. Williams, more recently of Grant's cabinet, presiding judge.
In the summer of 1849 I put the first ferry boat on the river here' that ever was run across from this place to the Illinois shore as a regular ferry boat. At the close of navigation I went back to Fort Madison, sold my boat to Mr. Messenger, and I believe he took it to Sandusky or Nash- ville. The boat was propelled by horse power.
There was a mistake made here at the Old Settlers' meeting last year in regard to the first ferry, which I did not have an opportunity of cor- recting, or I might not mention it now.
I have been a citizen in each of these three great states. I like them all. They are three of the grandest states in the federal union. And the city of Keokuk especially, as well as others generally, on the Mississippi river, is so situated as to receive great benefits from each.
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We are in the heart of a bountiful country. Peace and plenty surrounds us. May our prosperity be continued. And may we be permitted to meet and greet each other yet in the future, and enjoy ourselves as of this day ; yea, more abundantly.
And now, as we are in the midst of a presidential campaign, I would advise to avoid undue excitement, keep cool, and if we cannot readily decide which of the several men who are candidates to support, let us bow to woman's charms, including the tricycle on which she rides, and vote for Belva Lockwood.
Committee to report an Executive Committee and Officers for the ensuing year submitted the following :
Hon. Wm. N. Grover, Hon. Thomas C. Sharp, Hon. Samuel R. Chittenden, for Illinois ; Colonel David Moore, Major R. D. Cramer, Joseph McCoy, Esq., for Missouri, and Hon. Edward Johnstone, Capt. J. W. Campbell, and Hon. Edwin Manning, for Iowa. The Committee further recommend that Hon. Edward Johnstone be selected as President of the Board, and the other members be Vice Presidents ; and also the election of John H. Cole as Secretary, and. J. O. Voorhies as Treasurer. Adopted
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MUSIC-"AULD LANG SYNE."
Should auld acquaintance be forgot And never brought to mind, Should auld acquaintance be forgot In days of Auld Lang Syne. CHORUS. For Auld Lang Syne, Lang Syne, my dear, For days of Auld Lang Syne, We'll take a cup of kindness yet For days of Auld Lang Syne.
We two have run about the braes And pulled the flowers fine, But we've wandered many a heavy foot Since days of Auld Lang Syne.
For Auld Lang Syne; &c.
We two have paddled on the lake From morn till day's decline, But seas between us broad have roared Since days of Auld Lang Syne.
For Auld Lang Syne, &c.
And there's a hand, my trusty friend, Give me a hand of thine, And we'll take a right good jolly draught For days of Auld Lang Syne.
For Auld Lang Syne, &c.
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The following letters were received:
HON. JOHN M. HAMILTON, GOVERNOR OF ILLINOIS.
STATE OF ILLINOIS, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, SPRINGFIELD, Sept. 22d, 1884.
C. F. DAVIS, ESQ.,
Keokuk, Iowa.
My Dear Sir :- Yours of 20th, as Chairman of the Invitation Com- mittee, extending to me an invitation to be present at the reunion of the Tri-State Old Settlers' Association, to be held in Keokuk, Thursday, October 2d, 1884, is received. In reply I would state that I would take pleasure in accepting the invitation, and being present if I could, but I have other engagements, already made for that date.
I am very respectfully yours,
JOHN M. HAMILTON.
HON. THOS. T. CRITTENDEN, GOVERNOR OF MISSOURI.
STATE OF MISSOURI, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, CITY OF JEFFERSON, Sept. 22d, 1884.
C. F. DAVIS, ESQ.,
Chairman Invitation Committee.
Sir :- I am instructed by the Governor to acknowledge the receipt of your polite note of 20th inst., inclosing an invitation to him to attend the first reunion of the Tri-State Old Settlers' Association, to be held in Rand Park in your city, on Thursday, Oct. 2d, proximo.
He directs me to thank you for the invitation and say that a previous engagement will prevent him from attending.
Very respectfully, F. C. FARR, · Private Secretary.
HON. BUREN R. SHERMAN, GOVERNOR OF IOWA.
STATE OF IOWA, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, DES MOINES, Sept. 13th, 1884.
C. F. DAVIS, EsQ.,
Chairman Invitation Committee, Keokuk.
My Dear Sir :- Pray accept my grateful thanks for your cordial invitation to attend the reunion of the Tri-State Old Settlers' Association, to be held in your city on Oct. 2d next, a compliment which I warmly appreciate.
I cannot now say whether or not it will be possible for me to be present, having other engagements during that week, but I will make an earnest effort to be with you at that time. But whether so or not, I trust
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the occasion will be one of great interest to all concerned, and prove a gratifying success in every respect, and I know will demonstrate anew the cordial hospitality of the good people of the Gate City.
Very respectfully yours, BUREN R. SHERMAN.
HON. FRED. O'DONNELL, OF DUBUQUE.
The following letter was received by the Committee on Invitation from the Hon. Fred O'Donnell, of Dubuque, late member of the Iowa Legislature, and Mayor of Dubuque :
GENTLEMEN OF THE COMMITTEE :- As a recipient of an invitation to . attend your reunion, received at the hands of my esteemed personal friend, and our distinguished fellow-citizen, General Jones, I beg to say through him that inability to be present is a subject of deep regret. It has always been a school of absorbing interest and highly-prized instruction to me to listen to the early history of our great producing States as given by the very men whose lives are in the stories of these States. A thought of what has been accomplished in the development of this country within the lives of men now present at your meeting, presents a picture of such rapid growth as to challenge the comprehension of the human mind. The very ground on which you stand, with one-half of what is now Iowa, and so far as civil jurisdiction is concerned, the whole territory west to the Pacific Ocean, was at one time included within the County of Des Moines. The other half of Iowa, with nearly all of Minnesota, was included within the County of Dubuque. Then the wild Indian, wild deer and wild buffalo roamed in undisturbed possession of our beautiful prairies, occasionally alarmed by the sharp crack of the rifle or at sight of the face of the hardy and courageous pioneer. Now, within the space of a single life, how great the change ! Where once grew the tall grass which fed the deer and buffalo, now grows the silken tassel and the bearded grain. Where once grew the fruits of the forest, now grow the apple and the pear, while the luscious globules of the grape attest in several ways our higher civilization. Where once coursed the trail of the warrior only to be followed by himself and the scavenger of savage life, the wolt, now steams the mighty train with our products and our people. Where once stood the wigwam of a savage race, are now the happy Christian homes of our pioneers' de- scendants. The fury of the chase and clash of war are past, but from the school house chimney curls the smoke, and gladdened children's shouts are heard upon the very course where Keokuk led his warriors to the fray. A dozen States and more, with millions of intelligent people, possessing thousands of millions of material wealth, now mark the territory which could almost have been purchased with the fortune of a single pioneer.
For all these grand old men, the fathers of our State, we feel affec-' tion's bond as tightly drawn as if they were our own. The saddest
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thought that comes at such a time as this, is that one born of fear, that they who've been with us so long may stay so short a time. May many years yet roll and autumn suns return before we bear away the cherished forms of those who taught us how to battle, live, and make a nation great. With sentiments of great respect,
Yours very truly, FRED. O'DONNELL.
FROM HON. J. B. BROWN, MAYOR OF HANNIBAL, MO. HANNIBAL, Mo., Oct. Ist, 1884. S. E. CARRY, Esq.,
President Tri-State Old Settlers' Association, Keokuk, Iowa.
Dear Sir :- In response to your invitation to myself and citizens of Hannibal to participate in the re-union to be held in your city, on the 2d inst., I regret to say that a combination of circumstances will prevent my attendance, and as our annual fair is now in progress, but few of our citizens have signified their intention to avail themselves of your kind invitation. I will here remark, however, that I am in full sympathy with the spirit of the occasion, and trust that your efforts to bring together the citizens -- especially the Old Settlers of the great States of Illinois, Iowa and Missouri, may be crowned with success beyond your most sanguine expectations. I believe I realize, and I assure you I highly appreciate the aspirations of the association, as it doubtless aims to more fully cement the bonds of friendship by this social organization, that should ever exist between the citizens of adjoining State. And it would be a glorious consumation if the spirit of your association could be extended to and throughout our whole sisterhood of States. A social intercourse tends greatly to smoothe down the aspersities, and stimulate and foster the amenities of life, as well between the citizens of States as of communities and families.
Trusting that on some future occasion I may have the pleasure of meeting you personally, and also of taking part in your future meetings, and thanking you in behalf of our citizens and for myself for your kind invitation, I am sincerely and respectfully.
Yours, &c., J. B. BROWN, Mayor.
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WM. B. STREET, ESQ., OMAHA, NEB.
OMAHA, Neb., Sept. 30, 1884.
J. H. COLE, Esq.,
Secretary Tri-State Old Settlers' Association, Keokuk, Iowa.
Dear Sir :- Your circular and invitation received and would have had earlier notice, but for my absence.
I regret my inability to be present, and desire you to express my regrets to the association.
Having been born down in Egypt, at Shawneetown, Gallatan county, when the State of Illinois was only six months old. I am a " Sucker" by birth-right. From 1827 to 1834, I was in Wisconsin, (just opposite where McGregor now stands,) then known as " Bloodyrun," (so named after a massacre of a portion of one Indian tribe, by the warriors of another tribe.) In 1834 I located on the Yellow river, (now in Allamekee county) on the Winnebago lands. and farmed with them for a year. In 1839 I came with my father, General Joseph M. Street, to the Sac and Fox agency, (now seven miles east of Ottumwa) and have lived in Iowa up to this date, except the short time I have been in this State.
Take the natural advantages of the three States, in the association and it would be hard, I may say impossible, to find the duplicate. And what of the people ? As early as the days when Philadelphia was settled, the pioneers were planting villages on the Illinois, and that portion of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers embraced in these three States. The advantages of the great plains, covered with luxuriant foliage, became at once apparent to the judgment and foresight of the best type of men, not only in every State of the Union, but of every part of the civilized world. The result was that these States were settled by the pick of the world. Their constitutions and laws are, (with one exception, in Missouri) an improvement upon those of all the older States, and their progress in that direction has been upward and onward, so as to keep them in the lead, and an example by which the other States have been led to make wonderful improvements on their old plans. It is an interesting study to go back to the early French settlements at Kaskashia, Ste. Genevieve, St. Louis and many other places and trace them to the present day. How the enterprising sons of new England, the middle, southern and border States came among the quiet French villages and allied themselves to the ruling element, and pushed out the "drones." Thus, in a way, proving the truth of the theory of, " The survial of the fittest." That saying " The Chinese must go," it is only the embodiment of the idea that seized the brain of the Anglo Saxon race, when Napoleon turned over to them the territory of these fair States. The leading thought from that day has been that every incapable of whatsoever name or nation, must " git up and git."
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Many of you remember the class of men that settled these States. You know the difference between those who came to stay and those who were faint-hearted and went back " in yander " and to parts further east and south. Among those early settlers you can recall the many instances of walks of life, and which was not so often due to education and early success, in all the training, as to same marked superiority of brain or brawn. There may be some among you who remember the bright " Starr " and the sun " Brown," "Jesse B." who fell by the hands of " A King " of the earth. But for this, those names with many others might have been as famous in the land as " old Daddy Grimes, that good old soul." There were some bright lights, who as Longfellow sings --
" By the wayside fell and perished, Weary with the march of life."
Among the characteristic traits of this people forbearance is not one of the virtues. True, they will put up with many faults and even vices in themselves, but they will not have a master. These States never produced a " Tweed," harbored " A Burr" or tolerated a " Jeff Davis." And they sent to the white house, and the tented field, men who were able to bring the ship of State through a terrible storm to a safe harbor. The Buchanan's, the Mc.'s and Burnsides failed because they were born too far from the Mississippi river. Amid the turmoil of border life, contention over claims, and strife in the lead mines there has been a marked sense of what was " just and right." Instance the trial and execution of the miner O'Connor, I believe, at Dubuque, for murdering his, adversary in a dispute about a lead mine. The country had just been acquired from the Indians. There were no laws or officers to execute them. The people resolved themselves into a body politic, elected a judge and officers of the court ; and that the culprit might have impartial justice, and have no grounds to claim a " change of venue," they went to a steamer at the landing on its trip down the river, and subpoenaed the passengers to serve on the jury. This is but one of many like incidents.
But the feeling of " The survival of the fittest" has led our people into a grievous sin and wrong; done to a people to whom we owe a greater debt than we shall ever be able to pay ; for the time is past. It is with mingled feelings of sorrow and shame that I refer to our treatment of the " Red man," who has much more to lay to our charge than the " Black man " ever had. The policy of the general government opened the door, and thrift and greed, together with the heedless, careless, lazy character of the Indians has brought upon them a fate they never deserved. In speaking of the perpetrators of these wrongs, I cannot spare either age, sex, or former condition in life. Kleptomania prevailed as an epidemic: The desire to take something seized the trader, settler, government employe and even the preachers were not, in all cases,
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exempt from its attacks. When we had stolen all they had laying around loose, last of all we stole their lands. The greatest injustice of our government is in not making them citizens. The black man got a vote and became " a man and brother ;" this is the chief cause of the many wrongs done to the Indian. He has no vote.
The confederated tribes of Sacs and Foxes were a noble type of the aboriginees. For brains I can refer you to Keokuk, who though a rogue and a drunkard, was one of the most gifted orators this country ever produced. And the good Black Hawk, who, notwithstanding his bloody fame, was one of nature's honest noblemen. Too honest to believe the white man really intended to steal his village, and too simple to set him- ·self right before the world. And Wapello, the true hearted friend and honest man, whose boast was that he never shed the blood of a white man. Nor are these all. I could name you scores who with honest and fair treatment, would have shown gifts and traits of character to recommend them to every honest fair minded man. My father, General Jos. M. Street, proposed to settle these Indians on a reservation land held in severalty without the power to sell, proceeds of other lands to be expended in houses, etc., and instructions in the arts of civilization. His death prevented the carrying out of this plan. When he went among the Winnebagos. in 1827 they were called the " British band," and were the most degraded tribe on the Mississippi; treacherous, thieving and brutal. He got schools and farming among them, and they are now living in the north of this State (Nebraska,) and progressing in civilization, while far better Indians both by nature and practice have become almost extinct from oppression and " whiskey." I am glad to see that you have put the portrait of Keokuk, one of the most talented of this much injured race, (but alas ! not one of the best) on your invitation cards. But let us do more, let each one use his influence to have some justice, (though tardy,) done to the "Red Man." Let those who fear the Indian and white man can't live quietly together go to Tama City, Tama county, Iowa, and find several hundred living on land they have bought, and are in perfect har- mony and peace with their white neighbors.
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