USA > Iowa > Clinton County > The history of Clinton County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns &c., biographical sketches of citizens > Part 72
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Presbyterian .- The Lyons First Presbyterian Church was organized in the brick schoolhouse, by Rev. O. Clark, of Fredonia, N. Y., on November 11, 1855. Its first officers were : Ruling Elders-P. T. Roe, Allen Slack and William B. Godley. Other members, Mmes. S. Godley, A. M. Roe, A. B. Gaylord, E. M. Jerome and A. Hurlbert; Misses A. and M. and Charles S. Hurlbert. The first place of meeting was the Concert Hall on Pearl street, where Mr. Clark, the first Pastor. earnestly labored to establish the Church on a sound foundation, in which he was well sustained by the Session. The zeal of the Church in withstanding the flood of worldliness is testified to, not only by the stringent resolutions adopted against "traveling or riding on the Lord's Day, dancing, card-playing, billiards, ten-pins, or whatever games of skill or chance possess marked or decided gambling associations, use of or traffic in intoxicating liquors," but also by the way the Church discipline was enforced, as evidenced by the records of excommunication and suspension. Mr. Clark occupied the pulpit till November, 1861. During his pastorate the Church increased to a membership of fifty-eight, and the brick church on Seventh street, now occupied by the German Catholics, was built, but proved to be incon- veniently located. Accordingly, the present edifice on Seventh street was erected at a cost, including the land, of $6,000, and dedicated in 1861.
Rev. II. L. Stanley began the second pastorate October 17, 1862, and labored efficiently till 1868. He was succeeded by Rev. A. N. Keigwin, in 1868-69, and Thomas Lawrence, in 1869-70, after which, for several years, the church was either closed or depended upon a temporary supply, till in November, 1873, began the pastorate of Rev. E. R. Mills, who remained till his removal to Nevada, Iowa, in June, 1879. His successor and the present Pastor is Rev. C. A. Lombard. During the past several years, the Church has suf- fered greatly by the removal from the city of stanch members, but the courage and liberality of the remnant have maintained the Church life and work with unabated vigor, especially the Sabbath school, of which John Lay is Super- intendent.
Methodist .- The pioneer church organized on the soil of Clinton County is the Lyons Methodist Episcopal. Its origin is due to the labors of Rev. H. B. Cartwright, one of the famous family of heroic itinerants who did so much toward planting the Gospel in the frontier settlements of the young West. In 1840, and for several years afterward, meetings were held by a faithful few (only seven), in each other's houses until when the old schoolhouse was occupied until the congregation took possession of their present large and convenient brick church edifice on Sixth street, which was built in 1855-56, since which the Church has prospered finely. The following is the list of clergymen who labored in the Lyons charge: Rev. McMurtry, 1841-42; Holman, 1842-43; Stinson, 1843-44; John Walker, 1844-46; Revs. Roberts and Greenough, 1846-47; George Larkin, 1847-48; Crawford, 1848-49; Blackburn, 1849- 50; Gulle, 1850-51; John Walker, George Larkin, 1852-53; N. Odell, 1853-55; Joel B. Taylor, 1856-58; A. J. Kynett, 1858-60; G. W. Brin- dell, 1860-61; A. H. Ames, 1861-63; S. N. Fellows, 1863-66; Casebeer, 1866-67 ; R. D. Parsons, 1867-69; E. L. Miller, 1869-72; J. S. Eberhart,
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1872-74; John Bowman, 1875-77; W. Lease, 1877-79. The present num- ber of members is 160, and value of church property, $6,500. The Sunday school was organized in 1840. It now numbers 150. J. L. Pollock is Superintendent.
Catholic .- Lyons was for some time a mission adjunct to Dubuque. In 1852, a church was built on an open lot, on what is now Pearl street, which afforded somewhat of a contrast with the present great stone pile of St. Irenæus Church, which was built in 1869-71. Its organ was dedicated in that year, with a grand evening musical festival. In 1874-75, Father Jean, at that time the incumbent, becoming involved in a controversy with the Bishop, was deposed. Rev. Father Thomas Dunn is the present Pastor. The Church is prosperous, both numerically and financially. The edifice has cost, with the towers still truncated, upward of $40,000, and has seating-room for 2,000 worshipers. Its fine site on the bluff, in the northern part of the city, and its mellow look, owing to the material-yellow limestone-give it a very impressive and cathedral-like appearance.
Episcopal .- Some time in 1855, Rev. H. W. Beers began to officiate every Sunday at Metropolitan Hall, in Lyons. On December 22, 1855, a meeting was held at the town hall, at which the Right Rev. Henry W. Lee, then Bishop of Iowa, presided. At this meeting. Grace Church Parish was organ- ized, and James Hazlett, Andrew R. West, Harvey B. Ring. William D. Rob- inson and Leander Smith were elected a Vestry to serve until the next regular Easter election. The present church edifice was consecrated by Bishop Lee on May 21, 1857. In 1860, Rev. H. W. Beers accepted a call elsewhere, and was succeeded in the same year by Rev. George W. Watson, who was the Rec- tor until 1866, in which year Rev. Henry Adams was chosen Rector. Upon his resignation, in 1867, there was an interregnum. Rev. Lyman N. Freeman was chosen Rector in 1869, and was succeeded by Rev. A. P. Crouch, upon whose resignation in 1873, the parish remained without any regular incumbent until Rev. Samuel Currie, the present able Rector, assumed the rectorship September 1, 1875.
In the report of the parish for 1879, there is a record of twenty-nine fam- ilies, one hundred and thirty-five individuals, sixty communicants, eight Sunday-school teachers and forty-three Sunday-school scholars. The church and grounds are valued at $4,000.
MASONIC.
Though a goodly proportion of those who had, during the forties, located, either temporarily or permanently, at Lyons, had been known to each other as Masons of various degrees, the transitory state of society and constant changing of locality and unsettled feeling due thereto, so inevitable in all new communi- ties, delayed the formation of a local organization till September 13, 1849, when a dispensation was granted St. John's Lodge, No. 19, with John S. Bope appointed W. M. Both records and reminiscences are lacking of this Lodge, save that it was chartered and instituted June 6, 1850, with fifteen members, and James McCoy, now of Fulton, as W. M., and that the charter was surren- dered in June, 1855, Judge A. R. Cotton being G. M., largely on account of the removal of brethren during that gloomy year. But the next year the prospects of the town brightened, and Masonry was revived by a dispensation being granted April 3, 1856, to W. E. Leffingwell, G. H. Bonney, James Hazlett and six others, for Eureka Lodge, which was soon organized as Lyons Lodge. No. 93, with about twelve members. The destruction of the lodge records by the great
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fire of 1870 deprived the order in Lyons of many valuable souvenirs of its inception and early days. However, it is known that William E. Leffingwell was the first W. M., and among the charter members were Thomas Crew, Rev. Beers, William Soules and Stephen Fuller.
The first meetings were held in the brick building on Pearl street, since used for manufacturing purposes. Then the Lodge, for several years, met in Rice's block, on the corner of Fourth and Main streets. Thence the lodge- room was removed to the present post-office block, where it occupied one room for six years, and thereafter remained for eight years in the rooms where the Mirror is now published, until the present rooms in the new temple were taken possession of in 1872, and where the older members complacently contrast the appointments with those of the old Pearl street rooms, around which, however, hangs the halo of old-time associations, and the chastening reflections of how remorselessly Time, in Tennyson's words, "unsolders the goodliest fellowships whereof this world holds record."
In 1867, another stage in the progress of Masonry in Lyons was marked by the institution of Oriental Chapter, No. 39, of Royal Arch Masons. W. E. Leffingwell was the first H. P. The records also perished by fire, but have been largely reconstructed by the labors of Dr. Wetherell, C. W. Magill and T. R. Beers. Until the temple was completed, the Chapter convened in the old lodge-room over the post office. The charter members were Dr. W. McQuigg, Judge A. R. Cotton, S. W. Baldwin, G. W. Parker, J. B. Denison, L. A. Ellis, C. W. Warner, A. J. Kynett, Dr. G. F. Wetherell, J. S. Hart, T. R. Beers, W. E. Marquis, S. Rand and F. L. Blakely. The present offi- cers are : C. W. Warner, H. P .; J. H. Potts, K; S. W. Baldwin, S .; A. D. Palmer, T. ; William Dolan, Secretary.
In 1869, Masonry in Lyons culminated in the establishment of the only complete Scottish Rite in Iowa. The bodies were instituted on the 12th of May. The charter members were W. E. Leffingwell, C. W. Warner, G. M. Parker, S. W. Baldwin, W. E. Marquis, J. S. Hart, F. L. Blakely, T. R. Beers, Fred Bourne and Pitkin Wright. Since the Scottish Rite organizations have occupied their stately halls in the new temple, elsewhere described, annual State Conventions have been held there, closing with grand receptions, at some of which guests have been permitted to view the encampment of the S. P. R. S., fully spread in the upper hall, and otherwise the occasions have been made memorable as social as well as Masonic gatherings.
The following are the present officers of Iowa Grand Lodge of Perfection, No. 5: A. R. Cotton, T. P. G. M .; C. W. Warner, S. W .; E. A. Wadleigh, J. W .; J. H. Potts, Treasurer; G. W. Ashton, Secretary.
Delphic Chapter, Rose Croix, No. 5 .- W. W. Sanborn, W. M .; F. Bourne, S. W .; M. H. Westbrook, J. W .; J. H. Potts, Treasurer; J. W. Ashton, Secretary.
Hugh de Payens Council, Knights of Kadosh .- J. Scott Jenkins, V. I .; C. W. Warner, First Lieutenant; A. R. Cotton, Second Lieutenant, Sec- retary and Treasurer, ut supra.
De Molay Consistory, S. P. R. S .- Buren R. Sherman, Commander-in- Chief; C. W. Warner, Prior; W. W. Sanborn, P .; J. H. Potts, Treasurer; T. R. Beers, Secretary.
The laying of the corner-stone of the Masonic Temple, August 15, 1871, was an occasion memorable among the Fraternity, as a notable milestone in marking its progress in Iowa and the Northwest, and by people in general, who witnessed the imposing Masonic array and ceremonies, and for the melting
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solar rays of the day. Representatives were present from Lyons Lodge, of Lyons; Western Star Lodge, of Clinton; Camanche Lodge, of Camanche; Right Hand Lodge, of De Witt; Fulton Lodge, of Fulton, Ill .; Thompson Lodge, Thompson, Ill .; De Molay Consistory of Knights of Kadosh, and individuals from many distant bodies.
The Knights, whose nodding crests, glittering swords and beautiful jewels made them look, as they were, equally worthy with the noble Crusaders to uphold the banner with the legend " Dieu le veut" (God wills it), followed by 150 Masons and a band of music, appeared, and, after marching in procession through the principal streets, returned to the Temple site where, and at neigh- boring "coignes of vantage " for viewing, several thousand people had assem- bled. The ceremonies were opened by prayer by Grand Chaplain Hamilton, followed by appropriate music from the quartette, Messrs. Hollingsworth, Coggswell, Bockel and Jones. Then was deposited in the foundation, to prob- ably there remain for many years before re-opened, a box containing the fol- lowing relics :
1. Iowa Grand Lodge Report, 1870.
2. Iowa Grand Chapter Report, 1870.
3. Iowa Grand Commandery Report, 1870.
4. Iowa Grand Consistory Report, 1870.
5. By-Laws of Lyons Lodge, No. 93, A., F. & A. M.
6. By-Laws of Iowa Grand Lodge of Perfection, No. 5.
7. Copy of Charter of Lyons Lodge, No. 93.
8. Copy of Charter and Dispensation of Oriental Chapter, No. 39.
9. The same of Hugh de Payens Council of Kadosh, No. 1.
10. Articles of incorporation and names of officers of Lyons Masonic Temple Association, as follows : David Joyce, President; William E. Leffing- well, Vice President; C. B. McDowell, R. W. Rand, W. M. Bentley, C. Moes- zinger, Hiram Hart, Directors; David Joyce, W. E. Leffingwell, C. B. Mc Dowell, Building Committee; W. W. Sanborn, Architect; William Holmes. Treasurer; R. W. Rand, Secretary.
11. Copy of Lyons City Charter.
12. Copies of all the county newspapers.
13. List of Lyons city officers and members of Council.
14. List of State and county officers.
15. Photographs of charter members of Scottish Rite bodies in Lyons.
16. Internal revenue stamps in use in 1871.
17. Specimens of currency issued by First National Bank of Lyons.
18. United States postage stamps in use.
19. United States paper currency.
20. United States postal currency.
21. United States silver and copper coin.
22. Photograph of block formerly on ground now occupied by new Masonic Temple.
23. Photograph of block now occupied by Masonic bodies.
24. A bond of the " Irish Republic," presented by J. J. McDonnell.
The stone, like those of the temple built by the ancient Mason, Solomon, was lowered to its position to "the sound of dulcet symphonies and voices sweet," and after the usual ceremony of testing by plumb, square and gavel, and the consecration by corn, wine and oil, an eloquent address was delivered by T. S. Parvin, I. P. G. of Iowa City, Grand Master O. P. Waters, of Muscatine, conducting the ceremonies. Since the building of the Temple
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
Lyons can justly claim pre-eminence in the Southern jurisdiction in Masonic work.
The following are the dimensions, etc .. of this noble building, which, as it towers so conspicuously above the city, is to citizens an object of pride, as well as to travelers one of curiosity.
It occupies a lot 72 by 78 feet ; height to cornice, 72 feet ; first floor, 14 feet ; second, 14 feet ; third, 16 feet : fourth, 20 feet. The first floor is devoted to stores and a bank : the second floor, a banquet hall 23 by 47, and a kitchen 14 by 18, and other rooms; third floor, Blue Lodge hall, 28 by 63, Chapter hall, 28 by 69, besides anterooms ; fourth floor. Consistory hall, 42 by 64, and armory, 18.6 by 49. The structure is crowned by a skylight dome, whence floats a flag visible for miles either up or down the river. It is finished outside with terra cotta, white brick and massive iron cornice, and frescoed throughout on the inside.
ODD-FELLOWSHIP.
A charter was granted to Lyons Lodge, No. 61, I. O. of O. F., October 26. 1854. Previously, there had been in the city a Lodge known as Clinton, No. 21, which, for several years, held its meetings in a wooden building at the corner of Second and Main streets. All official documents relating thereto were burned. Lyons Lodge was instituted by Hon. James Thorington, of Davenport, D. D. G. M .. November 11, 1854. The first elected officers were G. W. Stumbaugh, N. G. ; J. J. Matthews, V. G. ; F. R. Johnson, Secretary ; J. D. Fegan, Treasurer. The Lodge first met at the former rooms of No. 21, but, within a few weeks, fitted up and occupied commodious apartments in the old Washington Hall block, on Main street. In 1860, the Lodge removed to Rice's building, at the corner of Main and Fourth, and thence, in 1864, into the fine hall expressly prepared for its use, in Wright's block, where is still its home.
Its present officers are : L. P. Adams, N. G .; L. G. Blaine, V. G. ; A. J. Leffingwell, R. S .; William Meggers, P. S .: C. T. Graefe. T .; S. Davy, W. and O. T. The Lodge is in a most flourishing condition in every respect, num- bering over one hundred members.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
Ivanhoe Lodge, No. 45, K. of P., was instituted March 25, 1879, by John W. Green, of Davenport, D. G. C. The following are the names of its officers and charter members : J. C. Root, P. C .; L. P. Adams, C. C .; L. E. Dean, V. C .; G. W. Brayton, P .; C. L. Root, K. of R. S .; H. Penn, M. of F .; W. A. Lyall, M. of E .; T. Balch, M. at A .; P. Traub, I. G .; Walter Wilkes, O. G. Charter members : A. A. Carpenter, A. M. Pelton, J. F. Rockwood, L. M. Stumbaugh, J. A. Nattinger, J. H. Potts, F. C. Brayton, C. J. Austin, J. Hoshal, B. S. Woodward, J. E. White, F. Showerman, L. G. Blain, C. A. Gay, C. H. Gerard, G. S. Gardiner. S. B. Cory, M. Rudman, Ed. Showerman, Anton Meyer, J. A. Mccullough, George Beuzeville, W. C. Grohe, J. W. Stewart, C. S. Tuller, Henry Woodward, T. R. Beers, C. L. Root, S. H. McCannon, A. A. Root, William Buell, Alex. Armstrong, Henry Penn, and the officers above mentioned. The Lodge has, at present, 45. members, and is growing apace.
KNIGHTS OF HONOR.
Lyons Lodge, No. 183, K. of H., was instituted October 29, 1875, and records the following officers and charter members : L. P. Adams, D. ; J. H.
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Oldridge, V. D .; C. E. Sperry, A. D .; L. E. Dean, R .: R. Spear, F. R .; Bid. Gage, Treasurer ; William Coles, Chaplain ; A. R. Hart. G. ; William Bell, Guardian ; I. A. Lovell, S. Charter members : J. W. Polleys, S. C. Ireland, A. A. Carpenter, W. F. Luse. J. C. Gabriel, J. A. McArthur, W. T. Whit- more, A. C. Lovell, J. L. Cook, I. A. Lovell, W. S. Metcalf, H. King, J. Clark. A. R. Hart. The Lodge now has 40 members, and is in a flourishing condition.
The Degree of Protection, New Era Lodge. No. 121 (Knights and Ladies of Honor), was instituted by L. E. Dean, D. S. P., January 10, 1879, with the following charter members : Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Hart, Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Scott, Mr. and Mrs. L. P. Adams, Mr. and Mrs. Th. Wrede, Mr. and Mrs. H. Roeder, Mr. and Mrs. Th. McBride, Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Dean, Mr. and Mrs. C. Rademacher, Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Carpenter, Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Mathers, Mr. and Mrs. Eli Lanning, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Maxfield, T. R. Beers. William Dolan, M. H. Westbrook and wife, Mrs. I. A. Lovell and Mrs. A. Schneider. The officers at present are : L. P. Adams, P. P. ; A. R. Hart, P. ; Mrs. A. J. Maxfield. V. P. ; L. E. Dean, Secretary ; Mrs. L. E. Dean, F. S. ; Mrs. Th. Wrede, Treasurer ; Mrs. A. R. Hart, Chaplain ; T. McBride, G. ; Mrs. C. D. Scott, Guardian ; A. J. Maxfield, S.
Germania Lodge, No. 789, K. of H., was instituted November 12, 1877, with the following officers and charter members : H. F. Schaale, D. ; F. Baer, V. D .; A. Studemann, Asst. D. ; Th. Wrede, R .; F. Feddersen, F. R. ; Th. Marx, Treasurer ; H. Thiessen, C .; F. F. Boock, Guide ; W. Sitan, G. ; F. York, Sent. ; J. Roeh, P. D. Charter members : Ch. Rademacher, J. Hoff- mann. The present officers are : F. F. Boock, D .; J. Hoffmann, V. D .; P. Naeve, A. D. ; J. B. Haynungs, R. ; A. Schneider, F. R .; Ch. Rademacher, Treasurer ; J. Renners, Chaplain : F. Baer, Guide ; W. Sitan, G. : W. M. Miller, Sent. ; Th. Wrede, P. D. The Lodge assembles in K. of H. Hall, and numbers 30 members.
United Workmen .- Eureka Lodge, No. 6, A. O. U. W., was instituted October 31, 1874, being the first Lodge in the State after the organization of the Iowa Grand Lodge. The first officers were J. C. Hopkins, P. W. M .; S. G. Clough, W. M. ; G. N. Haun, G. F .; W. B. Haywood, O .; S. B. Corey, R. ; A. S. Baldwin, Receiver ; H. A. Hobein, F .; G. A. Rich, I. W .; Dr. T. W. Mitchell, G. Charter members : S. Jones, T. G. Leedham, William F. Gauger. J. McMurray, William Allen, Samuel Waters, Samuel Waters, Jr., I. T. Bowen. J. Langanhagan. The Lodge first met in Hannaher's Block, whence it removed to Odd Fellows' Hall, where its quarters have since remained. The present officers are : Charles Barber, P. M. W. ; Bradley Durling, W. M .; L. G. Blain, F. ; J. L. Pollock, O .; L. Jones, Recorder ; A. J. Leffingwell, F. ; J. A. Nattinger, Receiver ; G. A. Rich, G. ; J. Schneider, I. W. ; L. P. Adams, O. W. The Lodge has 115 members enrolled, and is accordingly prosperous.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Records are almost entirely lacking concerning the primitive schools of Lyons. April 7, 1846, John Sloan being Director, Lots 2 and 3 in Block 26 were purchased of Dennis Warren for $25. On February 19, a minute is found, "Paid to Daniel Gordon, school-teacher, $3," and May 27, another payment of $23 to said Gordon. It is safe to infer that teachers' wages have risen since then. The teacher appears to have been compelled to wait for the collection of school funds to pay his stipend. November 3, 1847, John S. Stowes was employed to teach one term of school at the rate of $30 per
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quarter. For 1848, J. T. Foster, Daniel H. Pearce and Oliver P. Aikman were elected School Directors. In November, 1851, William C. Harrington was appointed to teach the winter school at a salary of $23 per month, teachers' wages having evidently " boomed," though the pedagogue was expected to himself collect one-half of it pro rata from patrons. Simultaneously, sealed proposals were invited for " six chords " of wood. It would be interesting to know whether anybody criticised that School Board for lavish use of public funds.
In 1847, was built the famous old Fourth-street brick schoolhouse.
The people at that time were personally solicitous concerning the comfort of the school children. A special district meeting was held in November, 1848, to provide for " banking up " the schoolhouse, so as to keep out winter winds, and Messrs. Sloan, Lake and France were appointed a committee to "draw a plan for desking and seating." The "woman question " was even then irre- pressible. It having been determined to employ a female teacher, so much opposition was manifested that a special meeting was held, the previous vote rescinded and a male teacher appointed. What those who then opposed ladies teaching would have thought could they have with prophetic eye looked into the schools of to-day and seen them, with equal skill and dignity, conducting classes both in summer and winter, one cannot venture to guess.
In 1852, Ben Lake, W. R. Miller and Elijah Buel were elected Directors. Only seven votes were cast. But a change was at hand, and, owing to the rivalry of progressives and conservatives and the north and south sections of the city, a controversy arose almost equaling, in bitterness of feeling, muni- cipal feuds in the middle ages, out of which, however, the schools were destined to emerge, renovated and invigorated.
Previous to the year 1865, the Lyons public schools constituted a township district, and were operated through the cumbersome machinery of the township system. They were generally overcrowded, imperfectly equipped and but par- tially graded, and, although they bore favorable comparison with other schools of the same character, it became apparent to those who were familiar with the administration of school affairs, that better results could be obtained by a general re-organization and the adoption of more modern and improved methods. It took several years to create a sentiment sufficiently strong to effect a change in that direction, all the early efforts being met by violent and uncompromising opposition on the part of the solid conservatives, who were thoroughly satisfied with the established order of things, and were in a majority whenever any voting had to be done.
Although the population of the district exceeded four thousand, the old one- story brick building, of three rooms, comprised the sum total of schoolhouse accommodations owned by the public. The necessity of having more room, therefore, became so imperative that, at the annual election, May 5, 1857, it was resolved to authorize the erection of what was termed a " first-class union schoolhouse," to cost $6,000, in addition to the sum to be realized from the sale of the old school property, before mentioned. At that election, W. W. San- born was chosen President, Rev. William F. Davis, Secretary, and A. C. Root, Treasurer. These gentlemen were instructed to procure plans and specifica- tions for a schoolhouse, "after some of the most approved models," to be pre- sented to the consideration of the electors at a subsequent meeting. They accordingly went diligently to work, and soon had a plan made ready for sub- mission. Three different meetings were held within as many weeks, all of them numerously attended, and all devoted to lengthy, heated and desultory discus- sion, without making much progress with the matter in hand. Finally, the
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plans furnished by the Board were adopted, and the business appeared to be set- tled in favor of a new schoolhouse and the graded system of schools. Before the building contract was let, however, the opposition resolved upon another struggle to defeat the enterprise. A meeting was again called, and their forces mustered to the last man, armed and equipped for a general assault. The attack was led by Mr. D. H. Raymond in a set of resolutions abrogating and repealing all former action favorable to the new school project. The President having declared these resolutions out of order, an appeal was taken from his decision. The meeting sustained the appeal, and forthwith engaged in an old- fashioned " scrimmage," best described by the proper historian of the occasion, Rev. W. F. Davis, who was Secretary of the meeting. In the recorded minutes he says : " Here followed a long controversy upon points of law, questions of order and mode of taking sense of meeting. Some called for yeas and nays, others for ballot, others for tellers. Personal crimination and recrimination was freely indulged in. There was debating by Leffingwell, Cotton and W. L. Parker upon the affirmative, Sawyer, Jerome and Davis upon the negative, promising to break up in a general row. A motion to adjourn having failed, Rev. Mr. Sawin attempted to speak, amid stamping of feet, hissing, shouts and general confusion. It was evident that parties unfavorable to the establishment of a better system of schools and the erection of a suitable building were deter- mined to gag down the friends of the movement, but Mr. Sawin still retained the floor, and delivered a masterly and eloquent speech in favor of the union school system and the erection of a commodious schoolhouse."
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