USA > Iowa > Fayette County > Oelwein > The Telegraph-herald's abridged history of the state of Iowa and directory of Fayette County, including the city of Oelwein, with a complete classified business directory; > Part 18
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The schoolmaster might put it in this way: "Let us suppose the earth to be composed of fine sand, and once in a thousand years a single grain of that sand is annihilated and so the slow process goes on; a single grain of sand at the end of each thousand years disappears, until the whole mass is gone. Now suppose a man had an option to spend this vast period in misery and for- ever after in bliss or vice versa, which would the wise man select? It might seem that the vast period consumed in annihilating the sand was an eternity in itself, but vast and incomprehensible as it would be it bears no greater re- lation to eternity in fact, than the unit bears to the greatest number-
"Eternity thou pleasing dreadful thought."
Lcok therefore to the great hereafter though it is shut out from our limited vision by cold and barren peaks.
"And look not alone to youthful prime, Or manhood's vigorous might;
Man then is useful to his kine Supported is his right. But see him on the edge of life, With cares and sorrows worn
With age and pain O, ill matched pair Shows man was made to mourn."
Work, study and persevere, and be sure you are right and "brave nobly then, but conscious of your trust;
"As ever warm and bold, be ever just,
Nor court applause in these degenerate days,
The villain's censure it extorted praise.
But please be steady, in an noble end, and show Mankind that truth has yet a friend. 'Tis mean for sake of paltry wit to write, As foplins grin to show their teeth are white. To brand a doubtful folly with a Smile or madly blaze unknown defects is vile.
'Tis doubly vile when but to show your art,
You fix an arrow in a blameless heart."
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237
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA.
Remember, however, that honesty-strict integrity, at all times and with all persons, is the only true road to permanent success. If, therefore, you have no higer motive than that of policy it is well to be honest for policy's sake. But let your integrity arise from a higher motive than that of policy. Let your aim be to "do to others as you would have others do to you," and ultimate success in your business will be assured. And in addition, you will enjoy the pleasing thought of having played your part toward your fellow man, by ren- dering full measure as promptly and as faithfully as you have exacted it.
CHAPTER LII.
WHAT CAUSED THE DEATH OF OUR PRESIDENTS.
George Washington-His death was the result of a severe cold which brought on acute laryngitis. His death occurred on December 14, 1799. He was 68 years of age. In accord with the custom then prevailing the physicians in attendance held a consultation, which resulted in the decision that bleeding was the proper remedy. The quantity of blood to be drawn was fixed at one quart. The vein was opened, but as the blood did not run freely the arm was manipulated to get the required amount. This was too much for the great man and he exclaimed, "For od's sake let me die in peace." These were his last words. He was bled to death by physicians who would not injure a single hair of his head for worlds.
John Adams-He died fro old age. He passed away without pain on July 4, 1826, aged 91 years.
Thomas Jeeffrson-Died at the age of 83, a few hours before Adams, on July 4, 1826. His disease was chronic diarrhoea.
James Madison-He, too, died of old age, and peacefully, on June 28, 1836. He was 85.
James Monroe at the time of his death, which occurred in the 73rd year of his age, on July 4, 1831, it was assigned to no other cause than enfeebled health.
John Quincy Adams-He was stricken with paralysis on February 21, 1848, while addressing the speaker of the House of Representatives, being at the time a member of Congress. He died in th rotunda of th Capitol. He was 81 years of age.
Andrew Jackson-He died on June 8, 1845, 78 years old. He suffered from consumption and finally dropsy, which made its appearance six months before his death.
Martin Van Buren-He died on July 24, 1862, from a violent attack of asthma. He was 80.
Wiliam Henry Harrison-The result of a cold, caught on the day of his inauguration. His death occurred on April 4, 1841, a month after. He was 68 years of age.
John Tyler-He died on January 17, 1862, at the age of 72. We have been unable to ascertain the cause of his death.
James K. Polk-In the spring of 1849 he was stricken with a slight attack of cholera while on a boat going up the Mississippi river. Though temporarily relieved, he had a relapse on his return and died on June 15, 1849, aged 54 years.
238
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA.
Zachary Taylor-The second President to die in office, is said to have par- taken immoderately of ice water and iced milk, and cherries. The result was an attack of cholera morbus. He was 66 years old.
Millard Fillmore-He died from a stroke of paralysis on March 8, 1874, in his 74th year.
Franklin Pierce-His death was due to abdominal dropsy, and occurred on October S, 1869, in the 65th year of his life.
James Buchanan-His death occurred on June 1, 1868, and was caused by rheumatic gout. He was 77 years of age.
Abraliam Lincoln-He was shot by J. Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theater, Washington, D. C., on April 14, 1865, and died the following day, aged 56.
Andrew Johnson-He died from a stroke of paralysis July 31, 1875, aged 67. U. S. Grant-He died of cancer of the tongue, at Mount McGregor, N. Y., July 23, 1885. 1
James A. Garfield-Was shot by Charles J. Guiteau on July 2, 1881. Died September 18, 1881.
Chester A. Arthur-Who succeeded Garfield, died suddenly of apoplexy in New York City, November 18, 1886.
Rutherford B. Hayes-Died January 17, 1893, the result of a severe cold contracted in Clevland, Ohio.
William McKinley-Was shot by Leon Czolgosz September 4; died Septem- ber 14, 1901.
WEALTH OF OUR PRESIDENTS.
Washington left an estate valued at over $800,000; John Adams died mod- erately well off, leaving about $75,000; Jefferson died so poor that if Congress had not purchased his library at $20,000, he would have been a pauper; Madi- son was frugal, and left about $150,000; Monroe died so poor that he was buried at the expense of his relatives; John Quincy Adams left about $55,000; Jack- son died worth about $80,000; Van Buren left some $400,000. It is said he did not draw his salary while in office, but at the expiration of his term of service drew the whole $100,000; Polk left an estate valued at $150,000; Taylor had saved something from his pay while in the army and died worth $150,000; Tyler married a lady of wealth; Fillmore was always frugal and added to his savings by marrying a lady of wealth, and was worth about $200,000; Pierce's estate was valued at $50,000; Buchanan left $200,000; Lincoln about $75,000; and Johnston $50,000; Grant was wealthy, but lost his fortune in the Grant & Ward failure; Hayes was always frugal and added to his fortune while President; Garfield was only moderately well off, as was also Harison, while Cleveland's fortune is larger than that of any of his predecessors; William McKinley, moderate.
CHAPTER LIII.
THE FAMOUS CONNECTICUT BLUE LAWS.
No Quaker or dissenter from the established worship of the dominion shall be allowed to give a vote for the election of magistrates or any officer.
No food or lodging shall be afforded to a Quaker, adamite or other heretic. If any person turns Quaker, he shall be banished and not suffered to return, but upon pain of death.
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239
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA.
No priest shall abide in the dominion; he shall be banished and suffer death on his return. Priests may be seized by any one without a warrant.
No man to cross a river but with an authorized ferryman.
No man shall run on the Sabbath day or walk in his garden or elsewhere, except reverently to and from meeting.
No one shall travel, cook victuals, make beds, sweep house, cut hair or shave, on the Sabbath day.
No woman shall kiss her child on the Sabbath or fasting day.
The Sabbath shall begin at sunset on Saturday.
To pick an ear of corn growing on a neighbor's garden shall be deemed theft.
A person accused of trespass in the night shall be judged guilty unless he clear himself by oath.
When it appears that an accused has confederates, and he refuses to dis- cover them, he may be racked.
No one shall buy or sell lands without permission of the selectmen.
A drunkard shall have a guardian appointed by the selectmen, who are to debar him the liberty of buying and selling.
Whoever publishes a lie to the prejudice of his neighbor shall sit in the stocks or be whipped fifteen stripes.
No minister shall keep a school.
Men stcalers shall suffer death.
Whoever wears cloths trimmed with gold, silver or bone lace, above two shillings a yard, shall be presented by the grand jurors and the selectmen shall tax the offender at 300 pounds estate.
A debtor in prison, swearing he has no estate shall be let out and sold to make satisfaction.
Whoever sets a fire in the woods, and it burns a house, shall suffer death; and persons suspected of this crime shall be imprisoned without benefit of bail.
Whoever brings cards or dice into this dominion shall pay a fine of 5 pounds.
No gospel minister shall join people in mariage; the magistrate only can join in marriage, as they do it with less scandal to Christ's church.
No one shall read common prayer, keep Christmas or saint days, make minced pies, dance, play cards or any instrument of music, except the drum, trumpet and Jews-harp.
When parents refuse their children convenient marriages, the magistrates shall determine the point.
The selectmen, on finding children ignorant, may take them away from their parents and put them into better hands at the expense of their parents.
A man that strikes his wife shall pay a fine of 10 pounds; a woman that strikes her husband shall be punished as the court directs.
A wife shall be deemed good evidence against her husband.
Married persons must live together or be imprisoned.
No man shall court a maid, in person or by letter, without first ob- taining consent of her parents-5 pounds penalty for the first offense; 10 lbs. for the second; and for the third, imprisonment during the pleasure of the court.
Every male shall have his hair cut round according to a cap.
240
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA.
WATER LEVELS.
Lake Itasca, the headwater of the Mississippi River, is 1,575 feet above the level of the sea.
The height of various cities above the sea level are as follows:
New York 23 feet
Albany 130 feet
New Orleans 10 feet
St. Louis
450 feet
Cincinnati
550 feet
Chicago
591 feet
Denver
5,267 feet
Dubuque
644 feet
St. Paul
820 feet
Peoria
548 feet
Fort Laramie
896 feet
Fort Benton
2,663 feet
Salt Lake
4,351 feet
Virginia City
6,505 feet
Omaha 968 feet
The headwaters of the Missouri are 6,800 feet above the sea level.
The headwaters of the Illinois are 596 feet abov th sa level.
The Ohio, at Pittsburg, is 704 feet above the sea level.
The average fall of the Mississippi River is 42-100 of a foot to the 'mile from St. Paul to the mouth of the Ohio, and 32-100 of a foot to the mile below the Ohio.
At the Rock Island Rapids, the fall is 24 feet in 14 miles, and at the Des Moines Rapids, 23 feet in 12 miles.
The average fall of the Missouri River, from Fort Union to its junction with the Missisippi, is 95-100 of a foot to the mile.
The average for the Ohio is 43-100 of a foot to the mile, and of the Illinois about the same.
TRIBUTES PAID TO WOMEN.
Woman is the masterpiece .- Confucius.
Women teach us repose, civility and dignity .- Voltaire.
Shakespeare has no heroes, he has only heroines .- Ruskin.
All that I am my mother made me .- John Quincy Adams.
If woman lost Eden, such as she alone can restore it .- Whittier.
Woman is the most perfect when the most womanly .- Gladstone.
Woman is last at the cross and earliest at the grave .- E. S. Barrett.
A handsome woman is a jewel; a good woman is a treasure .- Sanidi.
There is a woman at the beginning of all great things .- Damartine.
The sweetest thing in life is the unclouded welcome of a wife .- N. P. Willis.
Women are a new race, re-created since the world received Christianity .- Beecher.
Heaven has nothing more tender than a woman's heart when it is the abode of pity .- Luther.
241
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA.
For where is any author in the world who teaches such beauty as a wo- man's eyes ?- Shakespeare.
Woman is born for love, and it is impossible to turn her from seeking it .- Margaret Fuller Ossoli.
CHAPTER LIV.
THE GREATEST BATTLES IN HISTORY.
The Battle of Salmis, B. C. 480, between Xerxes of Persia and the allied Greeks.
The Battle of Actium, B. C. 31, in which the combined fleets of Antony and Cleopatra were defeated by Octavius, and imperiolism established in the per- son of Octavius.
The Battle of Arbela, B. C. 331, in which the Persians, under Tarius, were defeated by the Macedonians and Greeks under Alexander the Great.
The Battle ofMarathon, B. C. 490, in which the Athenians, under Miltiades, defeated the Persians, under Datis.
The Battle of Syracuse, B. C. 413, in which the Athenians were defeated by the Syracusans and their allies.
The Battle of Metaurus, B. C. 207, in which the Carthagenians, under Has- drubal, were defeated by the Romans, under the Consuls, Caius, Claudius, Nero and Marcus Livius.
The Battle of Philippi, B. C. 42, in which Brutus and Cassius were defeated by Octavius and Antony. The fate of the republic was decided.
The Battle of Blenheim, A. D. 1704, in which the French and Bavarians, under Marshal Tallard, were defeated by the English and their allies, under Marlborough.
The Battle of Chalous, A. D. 451, in which the Huns, under Attila, called the "Scourge of God." were defeated by the confederate armies of Romans and Vicigoths.
Battle of Hastings, A. D. 1066, in which Harold, commanding the English army, was defeated by William the Conqueror of Normandy.
The Battle of Luetzen, A. D. 1632, which decided the religious liberties of Germany. Gustavius Adolphus was killed.
The Battle of Pultowa, A. D. 1709, in which Charles XII. of Sweden was defeated by the Russians, under Peter the reat.
The Battle of Tours, A. D. 732, in which the Saracens were defeated by Charles Martel. Christendom was rescued from Islam.
On the 21st of October, 1805, the Great Naval Battle of Trafalgar was fought. The English defeated the French and destroyed the hopes of Napo- leon as to a successful invasion of England.
The Battle of Valmy, A. D. 1792, in which an invading army of Prussians, Austrians and Hessians, under the command of the Duke of Brunswick, were defeated by the French, under Dumouriez.
The Battle of Waterloo, A. D. 1815, in which the French, under Napoleon, were defeated by the allied armies of Russia, Austria, Prussia and England, under the Duke of Wellington.
242
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA.
RISE AND DECLINE OF CATHOLICITY IN THE UNITED STATES .- A STRANGE PHENOMENON.
(From the Telegraph-Herald, May 20, 1904.)
Something over a year ago the Very Reverend Dr. Slattery of Baltimore, Md., delivered a sermon, in which he stated that the Catholic Church in the United States was losing ground at an alarming rate, and in support of his statement he adduced the fololwing figures:
Catholics in the United States in 1902 . 10,976,757
Catholics in the United States in 1890. 8,301,367
Apparent increase in twelve years
2,675,390
Catholic immigration during the same period. 2,705,184
Loss on the face of the figures 29,794
This is without taking into account the natural increase from births and conversions; also the Catholic immigration from Poland in Russia, Canada, England, Scotland and countries not enumerated below. The figures were taken from the Catholic Directory, which is an official organ of the church, and includes immigrants only from Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, Poland, except Poland in Russia, Portugal, Spain and Ireland, and a moderate estimate for Germany.
In a subsequent sermon the very reverend gentleman is reported to have stated that the loss to the Catholic Church in the United States during the last ten years was nearly 2,000,000. This was a great surprise to Catholics and caused considerable comment and discussion. It was affirmed by advocates of the parochial schools, that the very reverend gentleman had made a mistake in compiling the figures, as the thought of a church losing by establishing its ownschools and teaching its religion in them was a contradiction of common sense quite beyond the ordinary conception. And it seemed equally absurd to think that the church which had gained so rapidly during the first two genera- tion of the existence of our government should now be losing at such a mar- velously rapid rate.
In a recent issue of the "Berlin Germania," which is said to be the most influential Catholic journal in Europe, an article appeared in which it was asserted that the Catholic Church in the United States was losing members at an enormous rate, and the expense of maintaining schools and churches in con- trast with the state established system of Europe was assigned as the chief cause.
Inasmuch as this subjcet has become of more than ordinary interest, a representative of the Telegraph-Herald undertook an investigation of the facts, with the following result :. Prior to the adoption of our constitution great pre- judice existed against Catholics. Penal laws were enacted against them in nearly all the colonies. These penal laws were abrogated by the adoption of the constitution, and in 1790 the admission of Rhode Island and North Carolina put an end to anti-Catholic laws and secured to every citizen of the republic freedom of conscience and the right to worship the God of his choice at the altar of his election. Shea, the historian, estimates the total number of Catho- lics in the United States at that time at 30,000, and Cardinal Gibbons, in a re- cent article fixed the number at 32,000. In 1787 Rev. John Carroll, afterward
243
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA.
first Bishop of Baltimore, estimated the number to be 25,500. These figures indicate that the estimate of Cardinal Gibbons is high enough to cover all claims, hence we will adopt it. As the census for 1790 gave us a population of 3,926,214, it will be seen that the Catholics numbered less than 1 in 120. In 1795 the public schools were established by act of the Legislature of the State of New York. The other states fell in line very rapidly, and for two genera- tions we had practically no other school. In 1880 the Catholic population had reached about 8,000,000. This was an increase of 250 fold and the ratio was raised from 1 in 120 to about 1 in 6, while the general population increased less than 13 fold. In other words, during those ninety years the population of the nation increased from 3,926,214 to 50,155,783, or 1,277 per cent., while the Cath- olics increased during the same period, from 32,000 to 8,000,000, or 25000 per cent. That is taking into account the immigration. Deducting the immigra- tion we have an increase in the general population of 923 per cent., and in the Catholic population of 9,275 per cent.
In 1902 we had a population of about 79,000,000, and the Catholic popula- tion was nearly 11,000,000, according to the Catholic Directory, but the Inde- pendent and the Christian Advocate, both of which are frequently quoted, make it more than 1,500,000 less. Taking the former as correct we have an increase of 3,000,000 in 22 years, while the general population increased 29,000,000. This is 58 per cent. for the general and 36 per cent. for the Catholic popula- tion and the ratio was changed from 1 in 6 to 1 in 7. This includes additions through immigration. If we deduct the immigrants the percentage of gain for the general population over that of 1880 is 38 per cent., while the loss to the Catholic population during the same period is 25 per cent. and the ratio re- duced to 1 in 13.
In discussing this subject it is frequently alleged that the greater portion of the vast increase during the first two generations of the existence of our government was made by immigration, hence in order to give those interested an opportunity to figure for themselves, we subjoin a table of immigration and population, by decades. During the first thirty years no account was kept of immigrants. In fact up to 1820 our immigration was very light. It is esti- mated that it would average less than 7,000 per year.
IMMIGRATION TABLE.
TABLE OF POPULATION.
From 1790 to 1820 (Estimated) 210,000
1790
3,926,214
From 1820 to 1830
151,824
1800
5,808,483
From 1830 to 1840
599,125 1810 7,239,881
From 1840 to 1850
1,713,257
1820 9,638,553
From' 1850 to 1860
2,579,280
1830
12,866,020
From 1860 to 1870
2,278,659
1840
.17,096,453
From 1870 to 1880
2,662,191
1850
23,191,876
From 1880 to 1890.
. 5,246,613
1860
31,443,321
From 1890 to 1902-12 years.4,753,522
1870
.38,558,371
1880
50,155,783
Total
20,194,471
1890
62,622,250
1900
75,568,866
1902, about 79,000,000
From this table it will be seen that the immigration during the last 22 years was about the same as the immigration during the first 90 years. As-
244
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA.
suming that half of the immigrants were Catholic, which we think is a very conservative estimate, the figures would stand thus:
Catholic population in 1880
8,000,000
Catholic population in 1790
32,000
Catholic immigration 1790 to 1880.
.5,000,000
5,032,000
Net gain from births and conversions in 90 years.
2,968,000
Catholic population in 1902 nearly
11,000,000
Catholic population in 1880
. 8,000,000
Catholic immigration 188 to 1902 . 5,000,000
13,000,000
Net loss in 22 years
2,000,000
After deducting immigration, as above stated there is a net loss to the Catholic Church of two millions, while the general population increased, after deducting ten millions of immigrants 19,000,000. This shows a gain of 38 per . cent for the general population and a loss to the Catholic Church, during the same period, of 25 per cent.
Now, what is the cause of this great loss?
Different reasons are ascribed by those acknowledging the fact. We urge that the fact be kept in mind that the question at issue between the friends of sectarian and non-sectarian schools is one of greatest moment and concerns the welfare not alone of the children of to-day but the men and women as well as the children of the future.
The public schools are the greatest institution in the Republic and essen- tial to its maintenance. Although over a hundred years old they are still grow- ing in popularity. In them we find the rich man voluntarily working to per- petuate an institution for which he pays his money in the form of taxes, to educate the children of his poor neighbors. In them we find the Jew and the Gentile; the Catholic and the Protestant; the Mohammedan and the Confu- sionist, drinking from the same bright bowl of knowledge. In them we find bigotry disarmed and tolerance and forbearance encouraged. In them we find the youth of all races and peoples growing up as friends, trusting each other, not as enemies suspicious of one another. Let us be a homogeneous people and let the American children get their secular education in the public school and their religious training and education at home and in the churches and Sunday schools, where it should be taught, and where it was taught for the first two generations of the existence of our government.
In 1867 Bishop Hennessy commenced preaching against the public schools. * He was the first prelate in the United States to raise his voice against them. He was most radical in his denunciations and the enforcement of his rules. Catholics who sent their children to the public schools were deprived of the sacraments. His whole mind seemed to concentrate and center on the sub- ject. He handled it without gloves. He denounced them as the "Godless schools, breeders of infidelity, and hot beds of hell." For some time he en- countered a great deal of opposition from both clergy and laity, but he was eloquent, earnest, industrious and persevering, and gradually the whole Cath- olic hierarchy of the United States were brought into line, and in 1880 the Parochial school was generally established and the Catholic children have
245
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA.
since been segregated and handicapped. Segregated because they have been withdrawn from the schools that represent the great body politic and handi- cappd because the schools provided for them were inferior from a secular point of view. And this is the reason why the Catholic Church in the United States is dwindling and decimating. As "the mills of the gods grind slowly," history has recorded but few precedents.
Perhaps the most remarkable is that of the Israelites, which affords a co- gent criterion. In the year 1706 B. C. Jacob, with his friends and relatives, numbering in all sixty-six souls, moved to Egypt. Joseph, his wife and two sons, who were in Egypt, augmented the number to seventy. This constituted the Israelite or Jewish sect of that day. They remained in Egypt about 215 years, and although they were, during a considerable part of the time, re- duced to the most abject slavery they increased rapidly; so much so that Moses led about 3,000,000 souls through the Red Sea in the year 1491 B. C. The Jews were a healthy, vigorous race, the only people on earth who worship- ped the true and living God. They were governed by strict laws. They led pure, moral and abstemious lives; and yet they did not increase. At the time of the crucifixion, 1524 years after the crossing of the Red Sea we cannot count 3,000,000 Jews extant. About six hundred years after the crossing of the Red Sea Carthage was settled and about one hundred years later Rome was settled. Those nations grew to be very populous and powerful. They warred against each other for over 100 years during which many millions of their men per- ished. Yet Rome became the mistress of the world.
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